Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of the security features contained within pet passports.

Since harmonisation with the EU pet travel rules on 1 January 2012, decisions regarding the effectiveness of pet passports or otherwise have been carried out at EU level, in conjunction with other EU member states, and in accordance with EU law.

The Non-Commercial Movement of Pet Animals Order 2011 contains provisions for the enforcement of these Regulations through a system of official controls, the responsibility for which is delegated to transport companies or their agencies and enforcement authorities.

Defra has not carried out any individual assessment on the effectiveness of the security features contained within pet passports, instead focusing on a fair and rigorous enforcement system for pets entering the UK which facilitates safe travel.