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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions she has had with veterinary associations on trends in the number of vets who can issue Animal Health Certificates for pet owners taking their pets abroad.

Defra regularly engages with veterinary associations on a range of issues, including animal health certification. Prior to the recent EU changes to pet travel requirements, the Department contacted relevant stakeholders, including the British Veterinary Association, the British Small Animal Veterinary Association, and the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons to notify them about the changes.

Data on the number of Official Veterinarians able to issue Animal Health Certificates is held by Improve International, the training provider responsible for OV qualifications on behalf of the Animal and Plant Health Agency, available at: Official Veterinarian Training.