The introduction of pet passports for dogs, cats, and ferrets traveling from Great Britain to Northern Ireland has sparked outrage in Westminster. The move, which requires pet owners to have documentation when traveling between the UK regions, was heavily criticized during a House of Lords debate.
Critics argue that the requirement is further proof that Northern Ireland continues to be bound by EU rules post-Brexit, creating a sense of division between the region and the rest of the UK. This has become a contentious issue for unionists, who feel Northern Ireland is being treated differently.
The new regulations, which will be free to apply for, require pet owners to declare that they will not travel onward to the Republic of Ireland or another EU country with their pet or assistance dog. Additionally, pets must be microchipped and have an individual travel document that will be valid for their lifetime.
However, residents of Northern Ireland returning from Great Britain with their pet or assistance dog will not need this documentation.
The scheme is being introduced under the Windsor Framework, a revised agreement that seeks to address the challenges of post-Brexit trading arrangements for Northern Ireland.
Baroness Hoey, a Northern Irish Brexit supporter and former Labour MP, expressed her concerns in Parliament, calling the regulations a new aspect of the “Irish Sea border.” She criticized the impact on pet owners, suggesting that it would make visiting Northern Ireland with pets feel like traveling to a foreign country. She warned that the requirement could end holiday trips for pet owners who wish to travel from Great Britain to Northern Ireland and then onward to the Republic of Ireland. If they obtained a pet passport, they would be unable to visit the Republic.
Lady Hoey emphasized that this was not a consequence of the UK leaving the EU, but rather a result of Northern Ireland’s unique position, still being subject to EU rules. She argued that this situation could change at any moment due to EU rule changes.
Former deputy leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), Lord Dodds of Duncairn, also voiced strong opposition. He argued that every regulation under the Windsor Framework should be debated properly, as they were being enforced to implement laws decided by a foreign jurisdiction. “In the 21st century, we should not accept colonial rule,” Lord Dodds declared. “People should have the democratic right to decide their laws for themselves.”
He criticized the absurdity of debating EU laws that regulate pet movement between UK regions, calling it an “outrage.” He further warned that these types of regulations were part of a broader pattern of laws that erode Northern Ireland’s constitutional position.
On the other side of the debate, Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick, former leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP), supported the Windsor Framework, describing it as a necessary legal tool to address the complexities of Brexit. She urged for a pragmatic solution to avoid political conflicts for the sake of it.
Introducing the regulations, environment minister Baroness Hayman of Ulloch explained that the new system would simplify the process of moving pets from Great Britain to Northern Ireland. The scheme replaces single-use animal health certificates with a free, lifelong travel document and eliminates the need for costly pet health treatments. She emphasized that frequent travelers with pets and those relying on assistance dogs would benefit significantly from the change.
However, Baroness Hayman acknowledged the concerns raised in the debate and promised continued engagement with peers to address them.
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