The European Commission intend to introduce from 1 Jan 2002, for the wholeof the European Union, a PET TRAVEL SCHEME very similar to that in force forUK. At the moment pets from anywhere in the world can travel at will to European Union countries (except UK, Republic of Ireland and Sweden which have quarantine regulations) on production of a Health Certificate and Rabies Vaccination Certificate. From Jan 2002 it will be necessary to have pet cats and dogs microchipped or tattooed, vaccinated and blood tested. The pet may then enter Europe six months after the date a successful sample was drawn. At the moment all animals so treated may enter UK from the EU and certain rabies-free islands only. The impact of this legislation, IF THE UK SIGNS UP TO IT, is that pets from anywhere in the world may enter UK and Ireland under this scheme given the above treatment. It is likely that UK will insist on microchip identification (not tattoos).

The proposed legislation may be inspected (here). It is a .pdf file for which you need to download Acrobat Reader.