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<p>A new EU Pet Travel Regulation (576/2013) came into force on 29 December 2014 and
introduced changes designed to improve the security of the scheme and traceability
of the pet passport. These changes include a requirement that pets must be at least
12 weeks old when they are vaccinated against rabies. This means that, under the new
EU rules, pets must be at least 15 weeks old to enter the UK.</p><p>Responsibility
for stopping the illegal movement of puppies begins in the country where they are
born, where the authorities have a duty to ensure that the welfare of pets intended
for sale is safeguarded and that EU pet passports are issued correctly. Following
a recent report by the Dogs Trust ‘<em>The Puppy Smuggling Scandal’ </em>published
in November 2014, the Chief Veterinary Officer wrote to the authorities in the countries
highlighted in the report and follow up action has been taken. Defra officials will
continue to act on reports of abuse of the pet travel scheme.</p>
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