Committees

Moving animals across borders

Inquiry

As a result of the UK leaving the EU and being granted “national listed status” as a third country, the movement of animals across borders faces a raft of regulation changes. This means that exports of live animals (for slaughter and fattening) from Great Britain (GB) to the EU and Northern Ireland can continue, although the Government is proposing a ban. There are also changes to the requirements for pets travelling between GB and the EU or Northern Ireland, with GB-issued pet passports no longer valid for travel. Furthermore, from July, new border controls will be put in place by the UK, requiring imported horses entering GB to go through a Border Control Post.

This inquiry scrutinises the impact of the new agreement and relationship with the EU on how animals can be moved across borders, focusing on live animal exports, equines (horses, ponies and donkeys) and domestic animals. The scope of the inquiry covers impacts on animal health including disease outbreak, economic interests, the capacity of the UK to adapt to new regulations, and the illegal movements of animals across borders.

Read the call for evidence for more information about this inquiry.

Upcoming events

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Past events

Thursday 23 September 2021
10:00am Private
Private meeting 23 September 2021
Room 21, Palace of Westminster
Tuesday 29 June 2021
2:00pm Private
2:30pm Public
Moving animals across borders - Oral evidence 29 June 2021
2:30pm
  • Rt Hon The Lord Benyon (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
  • Gareth Baynham Hughes (Director of Animal and Plant Health at Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Room 16, Palace of Westminster
Tuesday 8 June 2021
1:45pm Private
2:30pm Public
Moving animals across borders - Oral evidence 8 June 2021
2:30pm
  • Christine Middlemiss (Chief Veterinary Officer at Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
  • Ian Hewett (interim Chief Executive at Animal and Plant Health Agency)
  • Steve Dann (Director, National Operational Headquarters at Border Force)
Room 15, Palace of Westminster
Tuesday 18 May 2021
2:00pm Private
2:30pm Public
Moving animals across borders - Oral evidence 18 May 2021
2:30pm
  • Mr Ross Hamilton (Head of Public Affairs at British Horseracing Authority)
  • Roly Owers (Chief Executive Officer at World Horse Welfare)
  • Jan Rogers (Director of Research and Policy at The Horse Trust)
3:30pm
  • Paula Boyden (Veterinary Director at Dogs Trust)
  • Maggie Roberts (Director of Veterinary Services at Cats Protection)
  • David Bowles (Head of Public Affairs and Campaigns at RSPCA)
Virtual meeting

Contact us

We receive a significant number of emails each day. All requests and invitations are considered but we do not respond directly to everyone. Please be aware, the committee does not look at individual cases or specific complaints.

  • Email: efracom@parliament.uk
  • Address: Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA