Sir, - The Irish Veterinary Association recognises that quarantine causes problems for animals and their owners who wish to bring them into Ireland or the UK from other EU states.
Ireland remains one of the few countries in the world that is rabies free. The Irish Veterinary Association advocates that any changes to the existing system in force in Ireland and the UK should provide the same degree of security as heretofore.
Where rabies is concerned, a reliable system of animal identification, vaccination and testing regime is the minimum necessary to prevent its introduction. Of equal importance is adequate surveillance of documentation at ports and airports which would be necessary to ensure compliance. Other diseases, currently controlled by quarantine, would also require additional measures to prevent their introduction into Ireland.
Cattle imported in the wake of similar relaxation of import regulations in 1994 have brought with them exotic diseases such as Johnes and Mycoplasma bovis, among others. The net effect of this will be an increase in sick animals, animal treatments, and possibly reduced product marketability.
In the light of history, and in the absence of proposals to address the points above, it would appear premature to relax the present regulations for dogs and cats entering Ireland. - Yours, etc.,
Meta Osborne,
President,
Irish Veterinary Association,
Lansdowne Road,
Dublin 4.