What specific conditions and procedures have been simplified for the movement of pets to the European Union through the Republic of Bulgaria in the event of an emergency in Ukraine, and how does this affect pet owners?

In accordance with the requirements of the EU Regulation, the following general rules have been established for the non-commercial movement of pets to and from EU countries:

·       the animal must be identified using a microchip;

·       the owner must have a passport for the animal;

·       the animal must have a valid passport of the European model or a health certificate issued by veterinary institutions of Ukraine;

·       the animal must be vaccinated against rabies;

·       presence of a test for the titer of antibodies against rabies. The test must be carried out on a sample taken by an authorized veterinarian not less than 30 days after the date of vaccination against rabies and not less than three months before the date of movement. The test should measure a level of neutralizing antibodies to the rabies virus in the blood serum equal to or greater than 0.5 IU/ml;

·       the animal must be treated against Echinococcus multilocularis no more than 120 hours and no less than 24 hours before the planned entry into Bulgaria.

Due to the emergency situation in Ukraine, the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency has simplified the rules for moving pets to the territory of the European Union (EU) through the Republic of Bulgaria accompanied by their owners (citizens of the EU, Ukraine and other countries outside the EU) for non-commercial purposes.

The simplified procedure allows the owner of an animal that does not meet one or more conditions to transport it, having previously informed about the importation of the animal into the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria or another member state at border crossing points.

If the animal is on the territory of Bulgaria, it will be placed under isolation and official control until the above requirements of the Regulation are fulfilled.

In case of transit through the territory of the country, the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency will issue a border crossing permit. The document will indicate the requirement (or requirements) that the animal does not meet.