BVA calls for tighter pet travel rules
Earlier this year Babesia canis - which is carried by a tick species not native to the UK - was found in a number of Essex dogs that had not travelled overseas.
The BVA is calling for tick treatments to be reintroduced for cats and dogs travelling under the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS), in order to protect human and animal health from serious and potentially life-threatening diseases.
In response to the government's review of the Non-commercial Movement of Pet Animals Order 2011, BVA said tapeworm treatments for cats should also be reinstated and consideration given to reducing the treatment window from 24-120 hours, to 24-48 hours before entering the UK.
The order, which came into force in 2012, made it easier to travel between the UK and mainland Europe with pets, but also removed the requirement for tick treatments. BVA believes this has increased the risk of zoonotic and other diseases, including rabies and Echinococcus multilocularis, entering the UK.
Earlier this year Babesia canis - which is carried by a tick species not native to the UK - was found in a number of Essex dogs that had not travelled overseas, suggesting pockets of infected ticks may be established in parts of the country. In addition, there are increasing reports of other vector-borne diseases such as leishmaniasis in the veterinary press.
BVA president Gudrun Ravetz said: "The increase in cases of babesiosis is a real concern to vets throughout the UK. That's why we are calling for the re-introduction of tick treatments for all cats and dogs travelling under PETS."
As well as concerns about disease risk, BVA highlighted concerns about the abuse of the pet passport system by illegal puppy traders. It recommended a reduction in the number of pets that can be transported under the scheme to no more than five per vehicle, rather than five per person. This should be further reduced to two per vehicle for puppies under six months old.
More intelligence-led checks are also needed in addition to the current document and identity checks, the organisation added.
The current review of the 2011 order is mandatory and does not relate to potential legislation changes as a result of the UK's planned exit from the EU. Defra is planning to put its review report before parliament by 31 December 2016.
Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.
