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No-deal Brexit: NI guide dogs face sea trip to enter Republic of Ireland | No-deal Brexit: NI guide dogs face sea trip to enter Republic of Ireland |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Assistance dog users in Northern Ireland could face a trip across the Irish Sea to bring their animals into the Republic of Ireland in the event of a no-deal Brexit. | Assistance dog users in Northern Ireland could face a trip across the Irish Sea to bring their animals into the Republic of Ireland in the event of a no-deal Brexit. |
Stormont's Department for Agriculture, Environment, and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has said pets would have to enter the Republic through approved entry points. | Stormont's Department for Agriculture, Environment, and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has said pets would have to enter the Republic through approved entry points. |
The ports at Cork and Rosslare are the only approved sea points of entry. | The ports at Cork and Rosslare are the only approved sea points of entry. |
Dublin Airport is also an approved point of entry. | Dublin Airport is also an approved point of entry. |
It means a journey from Londonderry to Donegal - normally a short drive - could involve taking a sea crossing to England or Scotland, driving to Wales, going through the official point of entry in County Wexford and then driving north to Donegal. | It means a journey from Londonderry to Donegal - normally a short drive - could involve taking a sea crossing to England or Scotland, driving to Wales, going through the official point of entry in County Wexford and then driving north to Donegal. |
If the UK leaves the EU without a deal on 31 October, the UK will become what the EU considers an "unlisted third country" under the EU Pet Travel Scheme. | If the UK leaves the EU without a deal on 31 October, the UK will become what the EU considers an "unlisted third country" under the EU Pet Travel Scheme. |
The EU does not consider all non-members to be unlisted but non-EU countries must apply to be listed, judged on veterinary and administrative systems and number of rabies incidences. | The EU does not consider all non-members to be unlisted but non-EU countries must apply to be listed, judged on veterinary and administrative systems and number of rabies incidences. |
"As an unlisted third country, there would be a requirement for pet animals including assistance dogs to enter the EU through a travellers' point of entry," said DAERA. | "As an unlisted third country, there would be a requirement for pet animals including assistance dogs to enter the EU through a travellers' point of entry," said DAERA. |
'It would be terrible' | 'It would be terrible' |
Laurence McDermott, a guide dog user who lives in Derry, told BBC News NI it would be terrible if there was a situation where his travel was restricted. | |
The 62-year-old is a volunteer with Irish Guide Dogs and regularly travels to Cork and Dublin as part of his duties. | The 62-year-old is a volunteer with Irish Guide Dogs and regularly travels to Cork and Dublin as part of his duties. |
He received his guide dog, a black Labrador retriever called Scamp, during a period living across the border in County Donegal where he is originally from, and so was given the dog by Irish Guide Dogs. | He received his guide dog, a black Labrador retriever called Scamp, during a period living across the border in County Donegal where he is originally from, and so was given the dog by Irish Guide Dogs. |
"What this Brexit will do I don't really know - nobody seems to know," he said. | "What this Brexit will do I don't really know - nobody seems to know," he said. |
Mr McDermott said he would not be deterred from travelling into the Republic by any potential changes. | Mr McDermott said he would not be deterred from travelling into the Republic by any potential changes. |
"I will keep on doing the same thing, hoping it doesn't change. | "I will keep on doing the same thing, hoping it doesn't change. |
"We'll probably get a pass of some kind for the guide dog if it does." | "We'll probably get a pass of some kind for the guide dog if it does." |
Patrick Burke, the chairman of Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind, said: "We are closely reviewing the situation and will be advising our clients once the final outlook becomes clearer." | Patrick Burke, the chairman of Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind, said: "We are closely reviewing the situation and will be advising our clients once the final outlook becomes clearer." |
'Fluid and complex issue' | 'Fluid and complex issue' |
Alliance Party MLA Kellie Armstrong said she had written to the Northern Ireland Office asking for a meeting to discuss the issue. | Alliance Party MLA Kellie Armstrong said she had written to the Northern Ireland Office asking for a meeting to discuss the issue. |
"If you do have anyone with an assistance dog who needs to go cross border for hospital treatment or work and they are going as part of their work this is a big deal," she said. | "If you do have anyone with an assistance dog who needs to go cross border for hospital treatment or work and they are going as part of their work this is a big deal," she said. |
Guide Dogs Northern Ireland said the issue was "extremely fluid and complex" and while it was aware of potential difficulties it is waiting to be "in a better position to have a more informed conversation". | Guide Dogs Northern Ireland said the issue was "extremely fluid and complex" and while it was aware of potential difficulties it is waiting to be "in a better position to have a more informed conversation". |
It said it was important that guide dog owners are aware of government advice for people travelling with pet and assistance dogs. | It said it was important that guide dog owners are aware of government advice for people travelling with pet and assistance dogs. |
"In the event of a no-deal Brexit, guide dog owners may be required to plan their travel up to four months in advance," it added. | "In the event of a no-deal Brexit, guide dog owners may be required to plan their travel up to four months in advance," it added. |
What is going to change? | What is going to change? |
At present, pets can travel unimpeded between the UK and other EU countries due to the pet passport scheme, which shows an up-to-date rabies shot. | At present, pets can travel unimpeded between the UK and other EU countries due to the pet passport scheme, which shows an up-to-date rabies shot. |
DAERA said there would be "additional certification and health requirements" for animals travelling to the EU after a no-deal withdrawal. | DAERA said there would be "additional certification and health requirements" for animals travelling to the EU after a no-deal withdrawal. |
It would mean more rigorous testing before travelling, which could take up to four months. | It would mean more rigorous testing before travelling, which could take up to four months. |
The rules would apply to dogs, including assistance dogs, cats and ferrets travelling into the EU. | The rules would apply to dogs, including assistance dogs, cats and ferrets travelling into the EU. |
Under the rules, pets are required to have: | Under the rules, pets are required to have: |
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