Travelling with assistance dogs after Brexit: the forgotten discrimination
15.9.2022
Question for written answer E-003089/2022
to the Commission
Rule 138
Marco Campomenosi (ID), Antonio Maria Rinaldi (ID), Anna Bonfrisco (ID)
From 1 January 2021, England, Scotland and Wales became a Part 2 listed country for pet travel to Europe, with an animal health certificate (AHC) replacing the European pet passport. This requires anyone wishing to travel from the UK to Europe to obtain an AHC, which has led to significant unintended consequences for assistance dog users.
Previously, the pet passport lasted for the dog’s lifetime and allowed free travel for the animal into and out of the EU. Regrettably however, the new AHC is required for each and every trip from the UK to Europe, can only be obtained within 10 days of departure and costs a substantial amount (approximately EUR 200).
Assistance dog owners who live in Britain need to meet additional criteria, which highlights the inequalities they face compared with other travellers.
For most people, travelling with a dog is a choice; for a person with disabilities who fully relies on their assistance dog, it is essential. The new rules embed discrimination and breach the conditions of the UN CRPD[1], which has been ratified by the EU and its Member States.
- 1.Will the Commission restore Great Britain to Part 1 listed status under the pet passport scheme?
- 2.Will it put forward a free service to help disabled people navigate the procedure for obtaining an AHC?
- [1] UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.