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Northern Ireland pet travel scheme approved despite Unionist opposition

Pets moving between Great Britain and Northern Ireland will need to have a pet travel document from 2025.

Claudia Savage
Wednesday 13 November 2024 16:55 GMT
Dogs, cats and ferrets will need a pet travel document to move between Great Britain and Northern Ireland (Tim Ockenden/PA)
Dogs, cats and ferrets will need a pet travel document to move between Great Britain and Northern Ireland (Tim Ockenden/PA) (PA Archive)

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MPs have voted in favour of a Northern Ireland pet travel scheme as part of the Windsor Framework, despite opposition from unionist parties.

On Wednesday MPs approved the draft Windsor Framework (Non-Commercial Movement of Pet Animals) Regulations 2024, with 412 in favour and 16 against.

The Windsor Framework is a post-Brexit agreement between the European Union and the United Kingdom which replaces the Northern Ireland Protocol.

During a Delegated Legislation Committee meeting last week TUV leader Jim Allister said the move imposed a ā€œpet passport schemeā€.

He said: ā€œPeople must belong to a pet scheme and submit their dog, cat or ferret to documentary and identity checks on getting on the boat and on leaving the boatā€”all that is within the one country.

ā€œAll that is because, for the first time since Brexit, the EU has legislated for the United Kingdom. I want that to sink in.ā€

He added: ā€œThese regulations impose that foreign-made regulation, made not for the EUā€”it is not applicable to the EUā€”but for this United Kingdom.

ā€œHow is it that we have got to the point that this Committee is expected merely to nod to legislation made not by this House, for this United Kingdom?

ā€œIt is not that it is imposing obligations unique to Northern Ireland; it is imposing obligations on GB citizens, who want to bring their pet to visit family, the Giantā€™s Causeway or the many tourist attractions in Northern Ireland.

ā€œNow, courtesy of the demands of this foreign EU legislation, they must belong to a pet scheme, apply for and obtain a pet passport, subject their pet to document and identity checks, and thenā€”and only thenā€”can they move their pet internally within the United Kingdom.

ā€œThat is an astounding situation, and an astounding imposition on citizens of Great Britain.ā€

They must belong to a pet scheme, apply for and obtain a pet passport, subject their pet to document and identity checks, and thenā€”and only thenā€”can they move their pet internally within the United Kingdom

Jim Allister

Environment minister Emma Hardy said: ā€œThe aim of the original Northern Ireland protocol and the framework was to avoid the need for any hard border, as I am sure (Mr Allister) knows, in the island of Ireland, between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The scheme safeguards that position.

ā€œThe position that he advocates is one that does not existā€”we are not a member of the European Union.

ā€œWe are fulfilling our requirements under the Windsor framework, because the Government believe in our international obligations.

ā€œWe believe in keeping our word and in fulfilling our obligations.

ā€œWhen we make an agreement, as with the Windsor framework, we fulfil that agreement, and do everything we can to ensure that that is done in good faith.ā€

During Northern Ireland questions last month the Government played down concerns over post-Brexit travel arrangements, amid calls in Westminster to ā€œliberate the people of Northern Ireland and our pets from EU diktatā€.

Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn told MPs the statutory instrument for the Northern Ireland pet travel scheme ā€œsignificantly reduces the requirements associated with the original Northern Ireland Protocol and provides a stable and long-term arrangement for those travelling with their pets within the UK.ā€

Mr Allister went on to tell the Commons: ā€œWhen the grip of EU law controls even the movement of our pets within the United Kingdom isnā€™t it clear weā€™ve gone far too far in regarding Northern Ireland as EU territory?

ā€œFor that is the reason for this absurd regulation, which at the behest of the EU imposes pet passports if you want to bring your pet from GB to Northern Ireland.

When the grip of EU law controls even the movement of our pets within the United Kingdom isnā€™t it clear weā€™ve gone far too far in regarding Northern Ireland as EU territory?

Jim Allister

ā€œThereā€™s no point the Secretary of State saying it could have been worse, it shouldnā€™t exist at all.

ā€œWhen will this Government get the EU off our back and liberate the people of Northern Ireland and our pets from EU diktat?ā€

Mr Benn replied: ā€œWell, as I hope (Mr Allister) is aware, Northern Ireland pet owners will not face any checks and will not be required to hold a pet travel document so I think in discussing this thereā€™s an obligation on him and all of us to make sure we present the facts so that people are not unnecessarily troubled.ā€

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