To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs what steps he has taken to facilitate entry into Northern Ireland for Ukrainian refugees travelling with pets.

Ukraine is recognised as an unlisted third country with regards to the EU Pet Travel Regulations 576/2013. As you will be aware, this legislation is still in place in Northern Ireland (NI) as a result of the NI Protocol and Withdrawal Agreement. Retained EU law in Great Britain (GB) following the end of the transition period also means that for the most part, the requirements as laid out in that legislation are also applicable for entry. This means pets moving from Ukraine to the EU, GB or NI require:

a microchip;

a rabies vaccination;

a successful blood test taken at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination;

an EU pet passport or a single use EU animal health certificate;

tapeworm treatment for dogs; and

to wait 3 calendar months from the date the blood sample was taken before travelling.

NI has long held rabies-free status which we value highly and wish to protect. We also have strong biosecurity measures in place to protect the public and other animals from diseases which can be brought to NI by animals from overseas.

I do, however, recognise the difficult and distressing situation that refugees from Ukraine currently face and that individuals in these circumstances would not have had time to complete the correct health preparations to travel with their pets. DAERA has put special arrangements in place to facilitate the non-commercial movement of pets with their owners from Ukraine. Pets will be allowed to travel with their owners even if the pet is non-compliant or has missing documentation.

People travelling to NI from Ukraine are asked to apply for an emergency import licence, where possible, via email. An emergency import licence is issued to the pet owner and provides instructions for their entry to NI. On arrival, a compliance check will be carried out to determine the status of the animal. Fully compliant animals will be allowed to enter as normal and proceed to their destination. Should an animal be non-compliant, DAERA will make arrangements for quarantine and the necessary health preparations in order to meet compliance with the legislation. DAERA will cover the costs of any necessary health preparations, quarantine stay and approved transportation to quarantine destination for the pets.