End of Pet Passports: parasite problem

[SJANSELL]

Hi, I just caught part of an item on Case Notes on Radio 4 re parasites. The gist was that the end of the Pet Passport scheme (due to EU regs?) might risk a parasite that can infect wildlife, dogs and humans (where it can be deadly, as it grows tumours on the liver) being introduced into this country. Currently dogs have to have injections against it. I think our government wants to extend the passport, but it will depend on the EU (yet another reason to oppose it!).

I think it is often carried by foxes. Then they defecate, this infects voles and dogs sometimes catch and eat them. This infects their faeces. Apparently 90,000 dogs come into the UK each year and there's a one in 10,000 chance of one being infected, but that would be enough to introduce it to the country.

I didn't catch all the story, but it's on this link, if anyone is interested in taking up the issue: BBC - BBC Radio 4 Programmes - Case Notes. Sarah

[SJANSELL]

Further to this story, I discovered the Guardian had also covered it last June: Cuts in controls on travelling pets 'could bring new diseases to Britain' | World news | guardian.co.uk if you prefer to read about it instead of listen.

Sarah

[posie]

thankyou for posting the information Sarah, why do they keep changing everything? It's another one of those things that will go ahead, and then when it's too late they will change it back again...HeyHo.......Posie..

[Cotham Marble]

Originally Posted by SJANSELL

Hi, I just caught part of an item on Case Notes on Radio 4 re parasites. The gist was that the end of the Pet Passport scheme (due to EU regs?) might risk a parasite that can infect wildlife, dogs and humans (where it can be deadly, as it grows tumours on the liver) being introduced into this country. Currently dogs have to have injections against it. I think our government wants to extend the passport, but it will depend on the EU (yet another reason to oppose it!). Sarah

I think you are confusing several separate issues. The EU scheme (passport)for requiring animals transported across national borders is not being scrapped - it is being standardised and implemented throughout the whole of the EU allowing every citizen the same rights to transport their pets anywhere within the EU. Also what is proposed by th Commission in respect of Echinococcus specifically allows that Countries which are currently free from infection could be subject to special measures

Personally I would make the transport of all pets anywhere, illegal; but that is clearly not the wish of millions of Europeans whose requirements are (in this case) being met by the EU.

see EUROPA - Press Releases - Travelling with pets: Commission proposes to extend transitional measures in five Member States until end 2011 with link to the relevant regulations.

CM

[SJANSELL]

Hi, thanks for the clarification and very useful link: I should have checked it a bit more thoroughly. I do hope the govt pushes for special measures beyond 2011 to keep us clear of these parasites.

Being an island and also having strict controls has really helped to keep out diseases like rabies, but it's still very difficult to keep out invasive plants and creatures like those non-British crayfish.

Sarah