The Non-Commercial Movement of Pet Animals (Amendment) Order 2014

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Order)

This instrument amends the Non-Commercial Movement of Pet Animals Order 2011 (“the 2011 Order”) to update the enforcement provisions and import requirements for pet animals entering Great Britain as a result of Regulation (EU) No 576/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the non-commercial movement of pet animals and repealing Regulation (EC) No 998/2003 (OJ No L 178, 28.06.2013, p. 1-26) (“the Pets Regulation”).

This instrument also makes consequential amendments to the Rabies (Importation of Dogs, Cats and Other Mammals) Order 1974 (“the 1974 Order”) and other trade-related animal health Regulations.

Article 3 amends article 2 (interpretation) of the 2011 Order to update references in definitions and to insert new definitions.

Article 4 amends article 3 (meaning of local authority) of the 2011 Order to make the Common Council of the City of London the enforcement authority for all London boroughs.

Article 5 amends article 4 (designation) of the 2011 Order to update the designations of the competent authorities to the relevant provisions of the Pets Regulation.

Article 6 amends article 5 (control of rabies and certain other diseases of mammals) of the 2011 Order to update references to the Pets Regulation and to dis-apply the 1974 Order to the non-commercial movements of rabies-susceptible ‘Part B’ pet animals (e.g. mammals such as rodents and rabbits) from Member States into Great Britain.

Article 7 amends article 6 (rabies) of the 2011 Order to update references to the Pets Regulation.

Article 8 inserts a new Part 2A (microchipping of pet animals) and article 10A (minimum qualifications for microchipping of pet animals) into the 2011 Order for the microchipping of ‘Part A’ pet animals (dogs, cats and ferrets) for the purposes of pet travel between Member States and third countries.

Article 9 amends article 11 (approval of carriers) of the 2011 Order updating the definitions and excluding Union carriers from the requirements to be approved for the carriage of recognised assistance dogs that travel by sea or inland waterway.

Article 10 amends article 13 (enforcement authority) to make the competent authority responsible for the enforcement of the replacement Pets Regulation and the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 577/2013 on the model identification documents for the non-commercial movement of dogs, cats and ferrets, the establishment of lists of territories and third countries and the format, layout and language requirements of the declarations attesting compliance with certain conditions provided for in Regulation (EU) No 576/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ No L 178, 28.06.2013, p. 109-148) (“the Commission Implementing Regulation”).

Article 11 amends article 16 (offences) to clarify that certain existing offences will apply in relation to pet owners’ declarations regarding a non-commercial movement.

Article 12 replaces article 19 (transitional provision) with a new transitional provision that applies the updated quarantine requirements to any pet animals that were in quarantine immediately before 29th December 2014.

Article 13 amends article 22 (review) to make the Commission Implementing Regulation part of the review process.

Part 1 of the Schedule amends the 1974 Order to update the references to the Pets Regulation and inserts a new maximum quarantine period of four months for ‘Part A’ pet animals that have satisfied all preventive health measures other than those required in relation to rabies.

Parts 2 to 4 of the Schedule amend the Trade in Animals and Related Products Regulations 2011, the Trade in Animals and Related Products (Wales) Regulations 2011 and the Trade in Animals and Related Products (Scotland) Regulations 2012, to provide for when the trade import requirements apply to pet animals.

An impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no impact on the costs of the private or voluntary sectors is foreseen.