Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Government updates advice on pet travel
Pets will be able to travel under their current EU pet passport until a leave date is confirmed.
Animal Health Certificates no longer required until leave date is known

The Government has published updated guidance for official veterinarians (OVs) on pet travel in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

It comes after the UK government agreed to an extension of Article 50, meaning that Brexit will be delayed until at least 12 April.

In an email to BSAVA members, the APHA indicates that Animal Health Certificates (AHC) are no longer required until the leave date is known. Until then, pets will be able to travel to the EU under their current EU pet passport.

‘If you have issued AHCs to pet owners for travel on or after 30 March, the AHC is valid for travel to the EU for up to 10 days after issue,’ the APHA states. ‘You may wish to advise affected pet owners that they can continue to use the current EU pet passport until the date the UK leaves the EU.’

When the UK does leave the EU, with or without a deal, it will be classed as a third country. Therefore the documents required for pet travel to the EU will depend on whether the UK is categorised as Part 1 unlisted, Part 2 unlisted or uncategorised.

If MPs reach a deal and confirm an implementation period, pets will be able to continue to travel to the EU under their current EU pet passport.

If the UK becomes an unlisted or Part 2 listed country, however, an AHC will be required. These are only valid for travel up to 10 days from their date of issue.

‘If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, you should issue AHCs for any pets travelling after the confirmed date the UK leaves the EU,’ the APHA writes. ‘You should continue to order AHCs to prepare for the scenario that the UK leaves the EU without a deal.’

An order form for the ACHs is available on the APHA's Vet Gateway

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NSA webinar explores sheep tailing and castration

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is to host a free webinar on the castration and tail docking of lambs.

The webinar, 'Understanding the tailing and castration consultation: A guide for sheep farmers', will be hosted online on Monday, 2 March 2026 at 7.30pm.

It comes during a government consultation into the methods used for these procedures. Farmers are encouraged to engage before the consultation period closes on Monday, 9 March 2026.

The webinar offers clear and actionable guidance to support farmers to contribute meaningfully to the consultation and prepare for potential changes.

On the panel will be former SVS president Kate Hovers, farmer and vet Ann Van Eetvelt and SRUC professor in Animal Health and Veterinary Sciences Cathy Dwyer. Each panel member will utilise their own specialism and expertise to evaluate risks and outcomes to sheep farming.

Find out more about the webinar on the NSA website.