Thank you for contacting me about travelling with a guide dog after the transition period.
It is of course very important for guide dogs and their owners to be able to travel to and from the EU with as much ease as possible. Now that the Transition Period has ended, owners of assistance dogs will need an animal health certificate signed by a vet, a microchip and a valid rabies vaccination. They will also need tapeworm treatment for dogs if travelling directly to Finland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Norway or Malta. You can find more information about what is required here: https://www.gov.uk/taking-your-pet-abroad/travelling-to-an-eu-country-o….
I know that Ministers continue to press the EU Commission on securing Part 1 listed status for the UK under the EU Pet Travel Scheme as it is clear that the UK meets all the requirements for this, with one of the most rigorous pet checking regimes in Europe to protect biosecurity. This would enable UK issued pet passports to continue to be used.
I am pleased that Ministers have ensured there are no changes to the current pet travel rules for entry into Great Britain from Northern Ireland, and they are working closely with the Northern Ireland Assembly to ensure a long-term solution which supports pet owners and assistance dog users entering Northern Ireland. The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster has also written to the European Vice-President seeking to ensure that an agreement can be made to address the barriers imposed on pet travel between Great Britain, Northern Ireland and Ireland.
Finally, I know that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is proactively and positively engaging with the assistance dog community on the impacts on dog movements to the EU. I am assured that Ministers will continue to closely work with assistance dog organisations to share the latest advice and guidance in accessible formats with their members on pet travel requirements as this is updated.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
Craig Whittaker MP
April 2021