Question reference: S6W-20146
- Asked by: Collette Stevenson, MSP for East Kilbride, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 21 July 2023
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Current status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 4 August 2023
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government, as it relates to public health in Scotland, regarding measures to ensure that pets brought into Scotland under the Pet Travel Scheme do not carry infectious diseases and parasites, including tapeworm and non-native tick species.
Answer
The Scottish Government has regular discussions with the UK Government regarding pet travel rules through a number of forums. The rules require all dogs entering the UK to be treated against Echinococcus multilocularis (tapeworm) unless they are entering from a tapeworm free country. Risk assessments are undertaken for zoonotic diseases, including tick-borne diseases, to ensure pet travel disease prevention measures remain relevant in protecting public and animal health.