‘Pet owners should see the vet next month for Easter travel’
PEOPLE who want to be “absolutely certain” they can take their pets abroad in the Easter holidays after Brexit should see their vet in November, Michael Gove has said.
Speaking to the House of Lords EU Energy and Environment Sub-Committee, the Environment Secretary said the UK becoming an “unlisted third country” after a no-deal Brexit would lead to onerous new measures for pet owners.
The scenario for what replaces the current pet travel scheme is the most unlikely, he told peers, as it is usually only applied to countries with a real risk of disease.
But he said: “If you want to be absolutely certain you can take your pet abroad and you’re taking your pet abroad, for example, during the Easter holidays then you should see your vet.
“It’s a straightforward process but you should see your vet to make sure your vaccinations are appropriate in November,” he said.
During discussion on the necessary changes to food labels and potential options the UK would have to improve provenance and welfare labelling, Mr Gove also said measures on allergens could be pursued regardless of Brexit.
His comments come after the death of 15-year-old Natasha Ednan-Laperouse, who was allergic to sesame and died after eating one of Pret A Manger’s baguettes which was not labelled with allergen information.
“It’s the case that we can change the law while we are still in the EU in order to require a greater degree of detail to be specified about allergens in food products.”
While there were some labelling changes required by law, and others which could be undertaken after Brexit on animal welfare and provenance, “there are some consumer safety changes we should be making anyway,” he added.