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Scottish ferry route to allow pets on board
17/05/2004
Cats and dogs who have their own pet passports will from today be able to travel direct to and from Scotland.
The Rosyth - Zeebrugge ferry has been authorised as the first ever Scottish travel route for qualifying cats and dogs, Rural Development Minister Ross Finnie announced today.
Owners whose pets meet the requirements of the Pet Passport Scheme will now be able to take their pets to selected countries direct from Scotland rather than having to travel through England.
Mr Finnie made the announcement during a visit to the Superfast Terminal in Rosyth. The Minister also met Dorothee Luking and Dougie Bannerman, dog trainers who will directly benefit from the new PETS route when they take their dogs to international competitions.
Mr Finnie said:
"The PETS Scheme has been developed to allow owners to take their pets to qualifying countries under strict conditions that ensure the welfare of the animal is protected and the risk to animal health is minimised.
"This ferry route provides Scotland with a vital link to the markets and countries of the newly expanded European Union and beyond.
"The route has already proved hugely popular among Scottish tourists and visitors to our country. Now pet owners can also benefit and avoid a round trip of nearly 1,000 miles via the south of England.
"It is particularly fitting that the ferry is authorised as a PETS route on the second anniversary of the service being introduced. It is a tribute to the hard work done by many people to ensure the service was authorised.
"A direct PETS route from Scotland is also a major boost for Scottish pet owners especially those who take their pets to international competitions and shows."
Yannis Criticos, Superfast Ferries Board Member and Project Director North Sea said:
"We are delighted to have received the approval for carrying pets to and from Scotland and we wish to thank the Scottish Executive and all the people who worked hard in the last year to deliver this service."
Dog trainer Dorothee Luking said:
"Being able to travel directly from Scotland will be fantastic. In the past, taking my dogs to Europe for training or competition meant a 500 mile drive just to get to and from Dover, but now we will all be able to relax on the ferry. It will take a lot of stress out of travelling for the dogs and for myself!"
The PETS Scheme allows cats and dogs in approved countries which have been micro chipped, vaccinated against rabies, then blood tested in an approved laboratory to travel on the service six months after the blood test. They must also be treated for tick and tapeworm 24 - 48 hours before they arrive back in the UK. Under the scheme the pets do not have to undergo the statutory six months quarantine period.
The necessary Legislation, The Pet Travel Scheme (Scotland) Order 2003, came into force on the 8th of April 2003. However today's announcement is the first route direct from Scotland to be authorised.
The operating company must produce a Recommended Method of Operation Procedures (RMOP) and Operations Manual (OM). Checks by Scottish Executive and State Veterinary Service staff were also carried out before authorisation was granted.
Superfast Ferries S.A. is a wholly owned subsidiary of the major Athens-listed Attica Enterprises S.A. and operates a fleet of 8 ultra-modern Superfast ferries on international routes in the Adriatic Sea between Italy and Greece and in the Baltic Sea between Germany and Finland.
* On 17th May, 2002, Superfast Ferries commenced a two-ship service in the Rosyth-Zeebrugge-Rosyth route linking for the first time Scotland directly to Continental Europe by sea. Superfast Ferries was selected among 42 operators taking part in an international tender process as the best qualified to serve the needs of passengers and freight in this first daily direct link between Scotland and the continent.
* Superfast IX and Superfast X each can accommodate 717 passengers and can carry simultaneously over 110 private vehicles and 110 large trucks, covering the distance in 17½ hours at a service speed of up to 30 knots. Public spaces include an la carte and Buffet Restaurants, Bars, a panoramic live music Disco Lounge, Casino, Video Games Room, a Havana Club Lounge, Card Room, Sauna, Whirlpool and Massage Areas, Shops and Boutiques, Conference Rooms and Business Centre, Children's Playroom, Satellite Television and Internet facilities.
Dorothee Luking is a dog trainer from Fallin in Central Scotland. Her dogs compete in international Schutzhund competitions. Schutzhund is a dog training competition which mimics the work of police dogs. Dorothy's dogs have represented Britain in the Schutzhund World Championships for the past two years, and she previously had to travel via Dover. They will now be able to travel direct from Rosyth.