Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:
“The nastiness of the EU and the ruinous impact of the Protocol upon daily life in Northern Ireland is underscored graphically in the approach being taken to the movement of animals from Great Britain to Northern Ireland. After receiving a large volume of correspondence about the issue in the early days of the Protocol, I wrote to the Secretary of State highlighting the fact that it was impeding the movement of guide dogs, assistance dogs and their owners as well as pets.
“I made it clear that the extra vaccinations required under the Protocol is a form of cruelty to animals and needs to be addressed urgently.
“I am disappointed but not surprised to have today received a reply from the Northern Ireland Office to say that because the EU have decided that Great Britain should not be a Part 1 listed third country these checks will continue. All the NIO have been able to say is that Michael Gove has written to the Vice-President of the European Commission recommending that the commission authorise the Irish Government to negotiate a bilateral arrangement addressing barriers to pet travel between Great Britain, Northern Ireland and the Republic!
“Such is the parlous position Northern Ireland finds itself in as a consequence of the Protocol. Everything is subject to the grace and favour of the EU which having threatened our supply of Covid-19 vaccines now forces our pets and guide dogs to suffer unnecessary vaccinations against diseases which don’t exist in the British Isles!
“Those who campaigned for the “rigours implementation of the Protocol” cannot disown their part in the cruelty being inflicted upon animals as a result.
“Longer lead-in periods and grace periods are not the answer to the sea border. The Protocol is constitutionally disastrous, economically ruinous and inhuman to animals. Such issues will continue to come up in the future. The only answer is to ditch the Protocol.”