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DEFRA considers UK rabies control import policies

DEFRA has begun a review of the policies that aim to prevent rabies entering the UK through an imported animal. The exercise is being carried out before the European Union (EU) reviews some of the requirements of its pet movement regulation. DEFRA expects the EU review to challenge a derogation used by the UK to require animals entering the country under the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) to have been blood tested to ensure an adequate response to rabies vac and to have been treated for ticks and tapeworms. The aim of DEFRA's review is to ensure that UK rabies controls are proportionate and sustainable, and to inform the UK's response to the EU's review.

Announcing a consultation on the current arrangements and possible future options for rabies import contro measures on November 17, DEFRA said that it believed the time was right for an evidence-based review of rabies disease control import policies. Sinc PETS has allowed eligible dogs and cats to enter the UK without the need for a period of quarantine, and since 2004 the UK's pet import policy has complied with the European pet movement regulation. The review will assess the risk of the introduction of rabies and other exotic diseases into the UK under current rabies policies and under alternative policies. DEFRA says that decisions on future rabies policy will be based on a veterinary risk assessment that has been independently peer reviewed.

The import requir rabies-susceptible mammals will be considered. This will include pets, commercially traded animals, and animals imported into commercial establishments such as zoos. The review will take account of a number of factors:

• Available evidence relating to the risk of introducing rabies into the UK through an imported animal;
  
• The risk of intro diseases and zoonoses through an imported animal;
  
• The practical aspects of implementing and operating current policies and alternatives;
  
• The costs and benefits of current policies and alternatives; and
  
• The way in which other parts of Europe address the risk of rabies and other exotic diseases entering their territories.
  

Referring to the EU's review, which is due before February 2007, DEFRA notes that a number of countries - the UK, Ireland, Sweden and Malta - retain preentry measures such as blood testing and antiparasite treatments, under special derogation. DEFRA hopes that the results of its own review will allow it to present its position to the EU effectively, warning that it is possible that, from 2008, the UK will not be able to retain its checking arrangements, blood testing and antiparasite treatments. It comments: `Potential EU-driven changes would make it much easier for animals from "high-risk" third countries to enter the UK without quarantine.'

• The consultation document is available from www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/rabies-review/index.htm. Comments are invited by February 9, 2006.

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PETS' progress

The Veterinary Record 2006 159: 161. [Full Text]  

This Article Full Text (PDF) Services Related articles in The Veterinary Record Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation