To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans he has for how the (a) Pet Travel Scheme and (b) Balai Directive will operate between Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland after the UK leaves the EU.

Whilst we remain a member of the European Union, we continue to be signed up to the requirements of the Pet Travel Scheme and the Balai Directive.

The rules that will govern the movement of live animals between Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland after the UK leaves the EU will be a matter for negotiation. The Government recently published its White paper on the Future relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union.

As part of the negotiations on the draft Withdrawal Agreement, the UK and EU have reached an agreement in principle on the terms of a time-limited implementation period. The rules governing pet travel and the Balai Directive would continue to apply throughout any implementation period. In the meantime, we are also putting in place contingency arrangements in the event of a no-deal outcome.

Whatever the outcome of negotiations, Brexit doesn’t mean that owners won’t be able to continue to travel to the EU with their pets but there may be changes to the system. The extent of any potential changes will be dependent on the outcome of negotiations.