Brussels, 10/03/2010 (Agence Europe) - In Strasbourg on Tuesday 9 March, the European Parliament approved the extension, until December 2011, of temporary measures which permit five member states - Finland, Ireland, Malta, Sweden, and the UK - to require cats, dogs and ferrets to comply with stricter rules than those that apply to pets travelling elsewhere in the EU. The transitional measures, approved as exceptions to EU rules to take account of the specific situations of these countries, were initially due to expire in June 2010.
In agreeing with the position of rapporteur Bairbre de Brun (GUE/NGL, Ireland) by 618 votes to 17, with 5 abstentions, MEPs allowed these countries to require more than just a pet passport or a certificate giving proof of a valid anti-rabies vaccination before such animals can enter their territories. They will be able, perfectly legally, to impose additional requirements to prevent the spread of echinococcus tapeworm and ticks.
Since 2003, pet cats, dogs and ferrets travelling from one member state to another have had to have a passport giving proof of an anti-rabies injection, or, if they have been imported, a certificate attesting such a vaccination.
With effect from 3 July 2011, these pets will be required to have an electronic identifier. (A.N./transl.rt)