A Win for Aussie Cats & Dogs
Shane Stone thinks that Sheila Caroline Spelman is fair dinkum.
30 Dec 2011, 23:26
Quarantine rules are changing for cats and dogs
Good news for Australian dogs, cats and other pets travelling to the UK. The Cameron Government is relaxing the rules dating from the 19th Century that required 6 months quarantine according to Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman. She is reported as saying "The UKG's quarantine system was designed to combat the threat of rabies in the 19th century and has now been left far behind by scientific advances. It's time we changed these outdated rules which have caused hardship to generations of pets and pet owners, and those who rely on assistance dogs, with too many animals cooped up unnecessarily."
Now all that will be required for pets travelling from the EU and listed countries (including Australia, NZ and the USA) is proof of a rabies injection 21 days before entry (not that there has ever been a reported case of rabies in Australia or New Zealand ever but let’s not get too technical in case the wizards of Whitehall change their mind; so ‘Yes Minister’ isn’t it?). Perhaps we might extend this welcoming gesture to the humans and not line Australians and New Zealanders up as aliens at Border Control as though we come from another planet. Hello most of us have a British pedigree of sorts if you include the Scots and Irish.
Meanwhile our hapless Prime Minister Welsh born Julia Gillard has ended the year on a woeful note. The Gillard Labor government has finished the year in the worst position of any Labor government or opposition since the Newspoll surveys began almost 30 years ago. Labours worst poll was in September with a primary vote of 26%; Labours primary vote has not been above 40% since June 2010 and spent most of 2011 below 30%. For the initiated Australia has preferential voting, not first past the post and it’s not possible to win with a primary vote that doesn’t have a 4 in front of it. London born Leader of the Opposition Tony Abbott remains neck and neck with Gillard as preferred Prime Minister but it’s the Party vote that counts and on that score he is well in front; the challenge will be to retain his winning edge. An election is not due until 2013 so we can expect the minority Labour Government to struggle on pandering to their Green masters in the Australian Senate to get legislation passed. Meanwhile the rumours just won’t go away that former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is gaining support for a comeback.
The tragedy of the political impasse in Australia and the reliance of the Labour Party on the lunatic fringe of Australian politics the Greens is that our economy is otherwise strong and doing well. We could be doing so much better if we had a functioning Government and a civil service who could get their heads around who is actually in charge of the country. Labour has already spent all the reserves left behind by the Howard Government, our border control is broken and we have allowed a two speed economy (resources versus the rest) to develop. 2013 is shaping up as a challenging year down under meanwhile can someone please tell the immigration officers at Heathrow that Australians and New Zealanders are friendly people who don’t pose a threat the UK and do something about those queue – please.
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The Pet Passport has been in force between Australia and UK for years. Dogs go back and forth (and for all I know cats) all the time without quarantine in the UK. They all are required to a vet exam at Changi on the refuelling stop.
31/12/2011 07:08