Ireland ‘out of bounds’ for owners with pets on board
Post-Brexit arrangements have left the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland effectively ‘out of bounds’ to UK cruising sailors with pets.
As of 1 January 2021, British sailors are subject to the single issue Animal Health Certificate regime, which has replaced the much more flexible European Pet Passport.
This means pets are only permitted entry from England, Wales or Scotland by boat to the Republic of Ireland at the commercial ports of Dublin Port, Ringaskiddy and Rosslare – none of which normally permits entry by yacht.
A similar set of restrictions is in place for Northern Ireland restricting entry with pets to Belfast and Larne, which are also not normally open to yachts. Ferry passengers can make arrangements according to the guidelines on gov.uk/ taking-your-pet-abroad
Vice-president of the Cruising Association, Derek Lumb, said: “Pet owners wanting to travel between Northern Ireland and Great Britain will have to have their dog, cat or ferret microchipped and vaccinated against rabies, a disease not present in either Ireland or Great Britain, get an Animal Health Certificate and wait 21 days before travel – at an estimated cost of £100.
“And before entering or returning to Northern Ireland, those with a dog must visit a vet to get a treatment against Echinococcus multilocularis,a parasite not present in either Great Britain or Ireland, at a further cost of £30 to £40.
“For those of us who sail our own boats, taking our pet with us will make stopping off in Northern Ireland illegal. The result is that Northern Ireland is now out of bounds to me, a citizen of the UK, as I sail from Wales to Scotland.”
PBO reader John Healey, who sails with his Lancashire Heeler dog Piper, agrees: “These new arrangements will considerably circumscribe my cruising options both to Ireland as a destination, and in often providing the safest and most convenient passage to Scotland. When you look into what’s required, sadly for those who still want to enjoy the company of their animals onboard the whole of Ireland is out of bounds.”
Pets travelling to Britain from Northern Ireland do not require any documentation or additional health requirements.
■ RYA advice: bit.ly/RYA_pets