Explanatory note

This Order amends the Non-Commercial Movement of Pet Animals Order (Northern Ireland) 2011(“the 2011 Order”) to update the enforcement provisions and import requirements for pet animals entering Northern Ireland as a result of Regulation (EU) No 576/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the non-commercial movement of pet animals and repealing Regulation (EC) no 998/2003 (OJ No L 178, 28.06.2013, p.1-26) (“the Pets Regulation”).

This Order also makes consequential amendments to the Rabies (Importation of Dogs, Cats and Other Mammals) Order (Northern Ireland) 1977 (“the 1977 Order”), the Trade in Animals and Related Products Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 (“the 2011 Regulations”), and The Welfare of Animals at the Time of Killing Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 (“the 2014 Regulations”).

Article 4 amends article 2 (Interpretation) of the 2011 Order to update references in definitions and to insert new definitions.

Article 5 amends article 3 (Designation) of the 2011 Order to update the designation of the competent authority to the relevant provisions of the Pets Regulation.

Article 6 amends article 5 (Controls on rabies and certain other diseases of mammals) of the 2011 Order to update references to the Pets Regulation and to update the exemptions to the provisions of the 1977 Order.

Article 7 amends article 6 (Rabies) of the 2011 Order to update references to the Pets Regulation.

Article 8 inserts a new Part 2A (Microchipping of pet animals) and article 10A (Minimum qualifications for microchipping of pet animals) into the 2011 Order for the microchipping of dogs, cats and ferrets for the purposes of pet travel between Member States and third countries.

Article 9 amends article 11 (Landing of assistance dogs) of the 2011 Order updating the definitions and providing for the landing in Northern Ireland of recognised assistance dogs being brought into Northern Ireland by sea or inland waterway on a Union carrier.

Article 10 amends article 12 (Powers of inspectors) to make the competent authority responsible for the enforcement of the replacement Pets Regulation and the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 577/2013 on the model identification documents for the non-commercial movement of dogs, cats and ferrets, the establishment of lists of territories and third countries and the format, layout and language requirements of the declarations attesting compliance with certain conditions provided for in Regulation (EU) No 576/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ No L 178, 28.06.2013, p. 109-148) (“the Commission Implementing Regulation”).

Article 11 amends article 13 (Offences) to clarify that certain existing offences will apply in relation to pet owners’ declarations regarding non-commercial movement.

Part 1 of the Schedule amends the 1977 Order to update the references to the Pets Regulation and inserts a new maximum quarantine period of four months for ‘Part A’ pet animals that have satisfied all preventative health measures other than those required in relation to rabies.

Part 2 of the Schedule amends the 2011 Regulations to provide for when the trade import requirements apply to pet animals.

Part 3 of the Schedule amends the 2014 Regulations to include provision for a person who is aggrieved by the final determination of the competent authority to appeal against that determination.