Barnier hints at EU pet travel ban as Brexit talks have gone to the dogs

FAMILIES will be barred from taking pets to the Continent if Brexit negotiations collapse, the EU’S chief negotiator has suggested.

Michel Barnier has said that the collapse of trade talks is a “real possibility” and warned it could affect the ability of “dogs and cats to cross the Channel”.

Under EU regulations, owners only require a “pet passport” certifying that the animals have been vaccinated against rabies.

P & O Ferries alone said it carried more than 20,000 pets from Dover to Calais last year.

Jacob Rees-mogg, a Eurosceptic Tory MP, said: “It’s really very silly. You can’t take this man seriously, he is now negotiating absurdly. It undermines his credibility.

“The worry has always been of rabid animals coming from the Continent. I’m all for keeping rabid Eurocrats out of the UK.”

Mr Barnier said on Friday the UK had just a fortnight to make a new commitment if it wanted a breakthrough in December, a deadline laughed off by David Davis, the Brexit Secretary.

Member states are to decide on Dec 14-15 whether enough progress has been made on the exit bill, Ireland and citizens’ rights to advance to the second phase.