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<p>The UK, Scottish and Welsh Governments have temporarily suspended the commercial
import of dogs, cats and ferrets into Great Britain if they originate from or have
been dispatched from Belarus, Poland, Romania or Ukraine, until 9 July 2022.</p><p>We
appreciate the impact that the temporary suspension will have on rescue organisations
that operate in these countries. However, this measure is important to protect our
biosecurity and the health of pets in this country.</p><p>This decision has been taken
because of the serious health risk to humans and animals in Great Britain from commercial
cats, dogs and ferrets from Belarus, Poland, Romania or Ukraine that do not comply
with UK health and documentation requirements.</p><p>We understand the fluid situation
at present due to the crisis and are aware that Romania, Belarus and Poland are currently
experiencing high volumes of animal movements from Ukraine. Movements from these countries
into Great Britain therefore present a higher risk at the current time due to the
flow of animals from Ukraine.</p><p>In particular, there is evidence to suggest that
commercial consignments of pet animals from Ukraine are being moved into Poland, Romania
and Belarus, including strays, rescue and abandoned animals.</p><p>Unlike non-commercial
pets accompanying Ukrainian refugees, these animals often have unknown history and
disease status which increases the risk of disease spread.</p><p>Our standards of
biosecurity are among the highest in the world. The Government takes the importation
of pets seriously and is committed to preserving our high standards of biosecurity.
The movement of commercial pets from Belarus, Poland, Romania and Ukraine represents
a clear and serious enough biosecurity risk at the current time that we therefore
consider the suspension of these movements necessary to protect the health of people
and pets in Great Britain.</p><p>This risk has been exacerbated further by serious
cases of non-compliance. There is a history of non-compliant movements of rescue animals
into Great Britain from this region, which further increases the biosecurity risk.</p><p>The
Government appreciates the work of genuine rescue and rehoming organisations who work
to ensure that unwanted and abandoned animals are given the opportunity to find a
forever home while importantly complying with our animal health and welfare legislation.
It is important to note that this is a temporary measure which will be reviewed in
due course. We would encourage organisations which are temporarily unable to import
rescue dogs, cats, and ferrets into Great Britain to provide help and assistance to
animals in situ.</p><p> </p>
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