26 Rejected

Move responsibility for border pet checks to Government professionals with 24/7 port staffing.

Recommendation
Responsibility for border pet checks should be moved from carriers to qualified Government agency professionals. This should include a requirement for permanent 24/7 staffing cover at ports of entry.
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the concern but rejects the recommendation, stating they have no current plans to change border enforcement arrangements and detailing existing rigorous pet travel checking regimes by authorised pet checkers and agencies.
Paragraph Reference
112
Government Response
Rejected
HM Government Rejected
The Government acknowledges the Committee’s concern; however, we have no current plans to change enforcement arrangements at the border at this time. We operate one of the most rigorous and robust pet travel checking regimes in Europe. All non-commercial dogs, cats and ferrets entering Great Britain on approved routes (every route other than Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man and Channel Islands) under the Pet Travel rules undergo 100% documentary and identity checks by authorised pet checkers. Authorised pet checkers working with the carriers are trained prior to being granted approval and receive annual audits by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) of their checking and processing to ensure they uphold our requirements. They also receive refresher training and are encouraged to liaise with their APHA contacts to identify non-compliance trends and additional training requirements. The carriers also work closely with operational colleagues at APHA and Border Force. Engagement with the carriers has indicated that they are committed to preventing illegal imports of pet animals. Observations made by APHA (during required quality assurance checks) on pet travel movements, including levels of compliance and carrier knowledge and behaviours, show good awareness of the pet travel rules. APHA works collaboratively with Border Force and other operational partners at ports, airports and inland, sharing intelligence to enforce the pet travel rules, disrupt illegal imports, and seize non-compliant animals.
Timeline
Recommendation age 2.2 yrs
Report published 05 Apr 2024