What effects will Brexit have on the pet industry?
If there’s a no-deal Brexit, will it be harder to travel to Europe with my pet?
Yes. When we leave the EU, pets can still travel from the UK to the EU, but the need for documents and health checks will change depending on what category of ‘third country’ the UK becomes on the day we leave.
If we leave without a deal the UK will be classed as an unlisted third country which means UK pets travelling to Europe will need vaccinations and waiting period after the vaccinations before they can travel. Waiting lists will also be extremely long, for everyone trying to vaccinate their pets at the same time.
What should I do if I’m travelling to Europe with my pet in 2019?
To plan ahead in case there is a no-deal Brexit, you may want to speak to a certified Official Veterinarian at least four months in advance of travelling. Speak to your local veterinary practice to find out whether it holds Official Veterinary status. If so there will be a fully qualified vet and member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, working there, with additional qualifications known as OCO(V)s. This will allow them to complete the required documents and certification needed for you to travel with your pet under the Pet Travel Scheme.
You will need to demonstrate that your pets are free of rabies, this could involve a vaccination followed by at least a 30-day wait before a subsequent blood test, which itself is then followed by a three-month waiting period before travel.
What effects will Brexit have on Veterinary work forces?
The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has warned that a no-deal Brexit could result in a logistical nightmare for the veterinary workforce, and this will have direct impacts on the public in a number of areas.
Inadequate capacity for vets certifying animals and animal products entering and exiting the UK
Too few vets to staff vet clinics for pets, farms and agricultural enterprises across the UK: nearly half of the vets registering to work in the UK every year come from the European Economic Area, and 95 per cent of Official Veterinarians working in abattoirs come from overseas, mainly the EU.
The result for pet owners could be increasing veterinary fees as vet clinics find themselves overloaded with work
Could Brexit effect trade in animal products?
A no-deal Brexit will mean that exports of animal products will be carried out with the EU listing the UK as an “third country”.
Even if access to the Single Market is achieved (and there is no guarantee of this), there have been warnings that a no-deal Brexit could lead to a 325% increase in the volume of products requiring veterinary certification as they leave and enter the UK.
This represents a huge increase in workload for the veterinary workforce which could lead to delays and holdups at ports, with consequent serious issues for perishable goods.
If access to the Single Market is not part of the outcome, the consequences could be much worse.
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