Government decision on mandatory testing for Brucella canis vital step forward for animal and public health

The move, announced yesterday by the Department for Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs (Defra), is a vital safeguard to limit the risks of this zoonotic disease entering the country from dogs imported or rehomed from abroad. Government data shows that since 2020, the majority of B. canis cases in the UK have been found in imported dogs, with around 50% of all identified infections coming from Romanian dog imports.

Responding to the announcement, British Veterinary Association President Dr. Rob Williams MRCVS said:

“With cases of Brucella canis in the UK rising in recent years as a result of dogs being imported from countries with higher known risk for the disease, BVA has been urgently calling for mandatory pre-import testing. With almost half of all B. canis infections identified in the UK being traced to Romanian dog imports, this is a timely and necessary step by Government that will better protect the health of both people and animals. 

“Measures contained in the Puppy Smuggling Bill, currently making its way through the UK Parliament, will also restrict the movement of pregnant dogs and puppies, going further to reduce the risk. BVA continues to call for appropriate testing for all diseases not currently endemic in the UK, such as babesiosis, ehrlichiosis and leishmaniasis, as a mandatory requirement before import from any country known to have higher disease risk to the UK.”