Statement by TUV MP for North Antrim Jim Allister:
“I am pleased that having presented the case at the designated legislative committee against the adding of yet another aspect of the Sea Border, a pet and guide dog border, all Unionist MPs combined to force a vote on the issue last night. The vote will take place later today.
“The Government is trying to pretend that people with Northern Ireland addresses should not be bordered about the arrival of thus pet border because it only places a burden on people coming to Northern Ireland with their pets from GB is they have GB addresses but we are one country and what happens in this part of the country impacts what happens in GB and vice versa.
“Significantly, many guide dogs are trained in Northern Ireland.
“The introduction of this border will create obstacles that have not existed for the movement of pets and guide dogs before and which still do not exists if you want to move pets or guide dogs from England to Wales or Scotland to Wales.
“The regulations actually make it clear that not only do you have to have a Pet Travel document as if Northern Ireland is a foreign country but you have to be subject to documentary and identity checks and if those conducting the checks are not happy they can send you and your animal to a so-called SPS facility and the regulations state you cannot leave until the authorities give you permission to do so.”