Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight
Pet owners will be forced to pay for rabies vaccinations every time they want to take their animals into the EU in the event of a no-deal Brexit , the government has warned.
Health certificates costing up to £60 will be provided to owners whose animals have had a blood test showing the procedure’s success.
The stricter rules would replace the pet passport scheme that means pets only have to be checked 21 days before travel. It also allows them move back and forth to the EU for their entire lives.
In the event of a no-deal Brexit however, tests will have to be carried out on pets out three months before the date of travel, and once handed out the certificates will only be valid for ten days from the date of issue until entry into Europe.
Although animals will still be allowed to travel to the continent after Britain leaves the European Union (EU), chief veterinary officer Christine Middlemiss said that pet owners travelling after 29 March 2019 should ”consult with their vet as soon as they can.”
She said: “In recent weeks we have been in contact with vets to highlight this issue. They are expecting pet owners to consult with them and plan ahead.”
The British Veterinary Association (BVA) estimates that together with additional costs, owners will need to pay up to £150 to prepare their animals for travel.
A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on BrexitShow all 65 1 /65A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit An estimated 700,000 people marched through London to demand a final say on the withdrawal agreement
Angela Christofilou/The Independent
A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Red smoke from a canister hangs in the air as around 100,000 demonstrators march through London during a People's Vote anti-brexit demonstration savings banners and placards Anti-Brexit People's Vote March for the Future in London
Rex
A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit
Angela Christofilou/The Independent
A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Mayor of London Sadiq Khan takes part in the People's Vote March for the Future in London, a march and rally in support of a second EU referendum.
PA
A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Final Say campaigners take part in the peoples vote march for the future in London 20/10/2018 Protesters wearing final Say shirts and holding placards
Angela Christofilou
A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit
Angela Christofilou/The Independent
A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit
Angela Christofilou/The Independent
A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit
Angela Christofilou/The Independent
A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit MP Chuka Umunna (left) and MP Vince Cable (right) as MP Anna Soubry (centre) addresses Anti-Brexit campaigners at a rally after the People's Vote March for the Future in London, a march and rally in support of a second EU referendum.
PA
A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit
Angela Christofilou/The Independent
A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit
Angela Christofilou/The Independent
A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit A People’s Vote march attendee calls for a Final Say
Angela Christofilou
A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Demonstrators with banners 'We're with EU' during the People's Vote March for the Future in London, Britain, 20 October 2018. Reports state that the 'March for the Future' is to be led by a column of young people and call for a People’s Vote on the Brexit deal. After marching through central London, there will be a rally on stage in Parliament Square, including speeches from Mayor of London Sadiq Khan.
EPA
A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit
Angela Christofilou/The Independent
A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit
Angela Christofilou/The Independent
A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit
Angela Christofilou/The Independent
A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Protesters at London’s march for the future in October
The Independent
A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Editor of The Independent Christian Broughton speaks to demonstrators in Parliament Sqaure after they take part in a march calling for a People's Vote on the final Brexit deal, in central London on October 20, 2018. - Britons dreading life outside Europe gathered from all corners of the UK to London on Saturday to try to stop their country's looming breakup with the EU.
AFP/Getty
A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit A poster at the March for the Future in October
The Independent
A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Anti-Brexit campaigners take part in the People's Vote March for the Future in London, a march and rally in support of a second EU referendum.
PA
A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit
Angela Christofilou/The Independent
A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Final Say campaigners take part in the peoples vote march for the future in London 20/10/2018
Angela Christofilou
A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit
Angela Christofilou/The Independent
A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit
Angela Christofilou/The Independent
A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Anti-Brexit campaigners take part in the People's Vote March for the Future in London, a march and rally in support of a second EU referendum.
PA
A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit
Angela Christofilou/The Independent
A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit
Angela Christofilou/The Independent
A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit
Angela Christofilou/The Independent
A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit
Angela Christofilou/The Independent
A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit
Angela Christofilou/The Independent
A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit
Angela Christofilou/The Independent
A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit
Angela Christofilou/The Independent
A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Demonstrators hold placards as they take part in a march calling for a People's Vote on the final Brexit deal, in central London on October 20, 2018. - Britons dreading life outside Europe gathered from all corners of the UK to London on Saturday to try to stop their country's looming breakup with the EU.
AFP/Getty
A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit
Angela Christofilou/The Independent
A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit
Angela Christofilou/The Independent
A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit
Angela Christofilou/The Independent
A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit
Angela Christofilou/The Independent
A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit
Angela Christofilou/The Independent
A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit
Angela Christofilou
A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit
Angela Christofilou/The Independent
A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit
Angela Christofilou/The Independent
A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit
Angela Christofilou/The Independent
A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit
Angela Christofilou/The Independent
A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit
Angela Christofilou/The Independent
A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit
Angela Christofilou/The Independent
A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit
Angela Christofilou/The Independent
A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit
Angela Christofilou/The Independent
A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit
Angela Christofilou/The Independent
A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit
Angela Christofilou/The Independent
A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit
Angela Christofilou/The Independent
A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit
Angela Christofilou
A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Final Say campaigners take part in the peoples vote march for the future in London 20/10/2018 campaigner wrapped in EU flag
Angela Christofilou
A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit
Angela Christofilou/The Independent
A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit
Angela Christofilou/The Independent
A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Final Say campaigners take part in the peoples vote march for the future in London 20/10/2018
Angela Christofilou
A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Demonstrators pass Trafalgar Square as they take part in a march calling for a People's Vote on the final Brexit deal, in central London on October 20, 2018. - Britons dreading life outside Europe gathered from all corners of the UK to London on Saturday to try to stop their country's looming breakup with the EU.
AFP/Getty
A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Demonstrators wave Union and European flags and hold up placards as they pass Trafalgar Square, taking part in a march calling for a People's Vote on the final Brexit deal, in central London on October 20, 2018. - Britons dreading life outside Europe gathered from all corners of the UK to London on Saturday to try to stop their country's looming breakup with the EU.
AFP/Getty
A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Demonstrators hold placards as they take part in a march calling for a People's Vote on the final Brexit deal, in central London on October 20, 2018. - Britons dreading life outside Europe gathered from all corners of the UK to London on Saturday to try to stop their country's looming breakup with the EU.
AFP/Getty
A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit A demonstrator holds a message during a march calling for a People's Vote on the final Brexit deal, in central London on October 20, 2018. - Britons dreading life outside Europe gathered from all corners of the UK to London on Saturday to try to stop their country's looming breakup with the EU.
AFP/Getty
A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Anti-Brexit campaigners take part in the People's Vote March for the Future in London, a march and rally in support of a second EU referendum.
PA
A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Demonstrators take part in the 'People's Vote March for the Future,' in central London, Britain, 20 October 2018. Reports state that the 'March for the Future' is to be led by a column of young people and call for a People’s Vote on the Brexit deal. After marching through central London, there will be a rally on stage in Parliament Square, including speeches from Mayor of London Sadiq Khan
EPA
A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit A protester brandishes an Independent t-shirt during the Brexit March
Angela Christofilou
A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Anti-Brexit campaigners take part in the People's Vote March for the Future in London, a march and rally in support of a second EU referendum
PA
A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Tens of thousands of people take part in People's Vote March for the Future in central London. The march organised by the People's Vote campaign is led by young people calling for a People's Vote on the Brexit deal
Rex
A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Anti-Brexit campaigners take part in the People's Vote March for the Future in London, a march and rally in support of a second EU referendum
PA
Without a Brexit deal, the UK is likely to become an “unlisted” third country, meaning these additional safety measures must be carried out on cats, dogs and ferrets to ensure they are not carrying disease.
The BVA warned that these arduous procedures will lead to a surge in demand at a time when the workforce is already experiencing workforce problems.
The follow-up test to check there are sufficient levels of rabies antibodies in the animal’s blood would need to be carried out a minimum of 30 days after the vaccination and three months before the travel date.
Although rabies vaccinations last three years, owners would have to purchase a new health certificate every time they visited the EU in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Together with other treatments such as tapeworm medicines, the BVA estimates total costs would be around £100-150 for owners.
“Leaving the EU with no agreement in place could lead to owners facing longer waits to get their pet cleared for travel and higher costs for the required vaccination, treatments and health certificates each time they leave the UK,” its president Simon Doherty, president said.
“We are also concerned that pet travel changes under a no-deal Brexit could spark a surge in demand for small animal vets and laboratory capacity to fulfil increased requirements for rabies testing and vaccination at a time when the workforce is already experiencing shortfalls. It’s vital that the government engages with the workforce and takes steps to ensure there is adequate capacity in place.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies