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Old December 2nd, 2003, 10:44 AM
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Europe Plans to Issue Passports for Pets

Europe Plans to Issue Passports for Pets

BRUSSELS, Belgium (AP) -- In an effort to make it easier for pets to travel with their owners in Europe, The European Commission on Thursday proposed issuing wallet-sized passports for dogs, cats and ferrets.

Owners will be able to use a standardized blue booklet stamped with the European Union's circle of gold stars, listing vaccinations and certifying the pets are rabies-free.

The passports, which will be printed in the pet owner's native language and in English, will identify animals by microchip, tattoo or an optional photograph. The document would replace pet travel papers issued nationally by the 15 EU governments, and will be valid in all EU countries.

Veterinarians would be responsible for issuing and detailing each animal's medical history in the passport.

"This is great news for pet owners like myself," said EU Health and Consumer Protection Commissioner David Byrne, who has a dog. "This is a significant step for the free movement of people and their pets and a step that was made possible by dramatic advances made in our fight against rabies."

Exotic pets such as mice, reptiles and fish would not need a passport to travel within the European Union under the proposal.

The EU already has in place stringent veterinary controls on the movement of farm animals between EU countries in efforts to prevent outbreaks of foot and mouth disease and Mad Cow disease. Similar EU-wide rules do not yet exist for pets.

Pets traveling to Ireland, Sweden and Britain will still have to undergo additional rabies checks before being allowed to enter.

It was unclear if the passports would be recognized by other countries like the United States, Japan or Canada.

The Commission hopes to have the new passport scheme in place from July next year.

The proposal still needs to be approved by EU governments and the European Parliament.

Belgium (AP)
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