The number of dogs seized and taken into quarantine at the port of Dover and the Eurotunnel for each month of 2019 are as follows.

The number of animals detained in quarantine for Eurotunnel may also include dogs that were seized at Coquelles and moved into the United Kingdom for quarantine purposes.

Some of animals will have been seized on welfare grounds only and therefore not put in quarantine.

The numbers provided are a true reflection of the information that we have access to. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of this data, as it is provided by a third party.

In May 2018 the Secretary Of State published the Tree Health Resilience Strategy and a National Action Plan which included a commitment to consult on the potential for quarantine for high risk plant species. We have recently completed an informal phase of engagement with the Tree Health Policy Group on this issue, and are now conducting research to help shape a formal consultation phase. The research aims to increase the evidence base for the volume and type of plants which enter the UK and identify what specific pest/host combinations pose the highest risk and may be suitable for quarantine measures.

The Animal and Plant Health Agency’s (APHA’s) data retention period for import data is 3 years. APHA holds data on animals landed in Great Britain that do not meet the import requirements and therefore require quarantine, under the Rabies (Importation of Dogs, Cats and Other Mammals) Order 1974 (as amended) (RIO).

The number of puppies quarantined in the last three years can be found in the table below. The figures for illegal animals also include:

• pet animals that arrive at UK airports and during the pets check are found to be non-compliant.

• animals that are found ‘inland’ and after a trading standards investigation are found to be non-compliant.

There are many reasons why people do not comply with the legislation concerning the importation of dogs entering the UK. As a result, Defra and APHA have put in place mechanisms to understand the cause of non-compliance through collaborative working with third sector partners, enhanced working with carriers and better sharing of information by developing intelligence networks.

Due to the complex landscape, it is not possible to correlate the number of seizures to any one particular initiative. There have been a number of recent focused efforts from all involved parties including training carrier operatives on the requirements for compliant travel and changes to the hours of working of APHA staff at Dover. Intelligence gathered has been used effectively to alert other EU member states of issues arising, to disrupt illegal trade before it enters the UK.

It is therefore through a combination of numerous activities that the number of dogs requiring seizure has dropped.

The Government maintains regular contact with the equine industry, including the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) and the Thoroughbred Breeders Association, to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the racing industry when the UK leaves the EU.

The rules for importing equines on day one in the event of no deal will remain the same in principle, so we do not anticipate that racing or competition will be significantly adversely affected. However in the event of no deal, the UK will no longer be part of the Tripartite Agreement (TPA), which is a derogation of EU law and allows streamlined movement of some horses between Ireland, France and the UK. The industry is aware of this potential change and has increased their preparations in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal.

The EU is set to introduce ‘Smarter Rules for Safer Food’ in April 2021. This will streamline animal movement rules and may include the replacement of the TPA. The equine industries of France, Ireland and the UK, have proposed to the European Commission that any replacement for the TPA introduced in 2021 be extended to cover equines of a high health status from third countries. The Government is supporting this proposal, as it would allow the UK to retain the benefits of the TPA once we leave the EU. Governments of France and Ireland are also supportive.

All foxes covered by Schedule 1, Part II of The Rabies (Importation of Dogs, Cats and Other Mammals) Order 1974 (as amended) will require a licence under the Rabies (Importation of Dogs, Cats and Other Mammals) Order 1974 and must spend 4 months in quarantine unless they are exempted from quarantine. Waivers from quarantine would only be granted if animals were moving from a premises approved in accordance with Article 13 and Annex C of Council Directive 92/65/EEC

Foxes are not part of the Pet Travel Scheme and therefore would not be permitted to move between Member States under the scheme.

The number of puppies seized and quarantined at Dover and Folkestone under the Puppy Pilot from 1 December 2017 to 30 June 2018 are as follows: