Stuart Agnew, the UK Independence Party's MEP for the Eastern Counties has spoken out in the European Parliament against the EU's Pet Passport scheme, which abolished the  six month quarantine for the movement of domestic pets brought to the UK.  In a hard hitting speech to the Parliament in Strasbourg (8.3.10), Mr Agnew pointed out that the original idea "....came from the Official Monster Raving Loony Party, which probably best sums up this dangerous scheme."

He highlighted the fact that the EU had over-ruled "the democratically elected British Government and introduced a system without a quarantine that relies on vaccinations and the accuracy of paperwork".  He described vaccinations as "by no means a guarantee against animals bringing diseases across borders" and outlined the many ways in which their effectiveness can be compromised.  Mr Agnew also pointed out the haphazard way in which the system is interpreted in different countries.  "This system could lead to disaster".

"This is a classic case of 'if it isn't bust, don't fix it' as far as my country is concerned."

Ends

The full text of Mr Agnew's speech is as follows:

Animal health requirements applicable to the non-commercial movement of pet animals – Stuart Agnew MEP - Strasbourg 8.3.10
 
Mr President
  
I understand that the original idea for the creation of pet passports came from the Official Monster Raving Loony Party in the UK, which probably best sums up this dangerous scheme.
 
My country had a compulsory six month quarantine period for domestic pets. Under the EU pet passport system, this important bulwark against the spread of disease was summarily removed.   The unelected European Commission was able to over rule the democratically elected British Government and introduce a system without a quarantine that relies on vaccinations and the accuracy of paperwork. 
 
As a farmer, I know something about vaccination.  It is by no means a guarantee against animals bringing diseases across borders.  The effectiveness of a vaccination can be compromised by many things; including its being administered to an animal that already has the disease it is being inoculated against.  Vaccinated animals can also be carriers of disease, without symptoms. Batches of vaccine vary in quality and forged paperwork is a real probability.
 
I understand there is no standardisation of enforcement of the scheme. Some countries require the formal passport, while others will take the documentation in any form. Still others will not accept the passport as proof of vaccination.  Many airlines are unable to provide details of the formal procedures and staff are poorly trained.
 
In other words Mr President, this system is a disaster waiting to happen.  The tinkering in this report reassures me not one jot.  This is a classic case of ‘if it isn’t bust, don’t fix it’, as far as my country is concerned.  Such excellent advice is beyond the comprehension of the busybodies at the Commission.