24
Rejected
Shorten tapeworm treatment window, mandate cat treatment, and reintroduce compulsory tick treatments for pets.
Recommendation
The Government should shorten the tapeworm treatment window from 24–120 hours to 24–48 hours; introduce mandatory tapeworm treatment for imported cats as well as dogs; and reintroduce compulsory tick treatments for all non-commercial movements of cats and dogs. (Paragraph 96) Pet importation — responsibility, monitoring and enforcement
Government Response Summary
The government rejects the recommendation to shorten the tapeworm treatment window, introduce mandatory tapeworm treatment for cats, and reintroduce compulsory tick treatments, stating they have no plans for these changes at this time, but will continue to review the policy.
Government Response
Rejected
Government Response
Rejected
HM Government
Rejected
We have no plans to make these changes at this time. The Government takes biosecurity seriously; currently we mandate tapeworm treatment for dogs coming from Echinococcus multilocularis-endemic countries to be administered 24–120 hours prior to landing here. We will continue to review the effectiveness of our policy including the possibility of shortening the tapeworm treatment window to 24–48 hours and introducing tapeworm treatment for cats. We are aware veterinary and animal welfare stakeholders are highly supportive of this move. Tick surveillance has shown that tick distribution and abundance is changing throughout the United Kingdom for a range of reasons, including habitat and climate change. Our future policy on import controls for disease will be guided by risk assessment.
Source
Inquiry
Pet welfare and abuse
Report
Second Report - Pet welfare and abuse
05 Apr 2024
HC 161
Timeline
Recommendation age
2.2 yrs
Report published
05 Apr 2024