EFL International Distribution makes the grade with Irish pet passports

EFL International Distribution, an independent logistics firm, has become the first company in the Irish Republic to become an approved carrier under the Irish government's Pet Passport System.

This follows changes in European legislation relating to the movement of pet animals within the EU, as well as international moves to and from EU countries.

Originally, December 2011 saw EFL International receive authorisation from the Irish Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine, to operate as an approved registered carrier of pets into Ireland from other EU member states.

Now, the Dublin-based company has become the first freight company in Ireland to be granted authorisation to operate as a transporter of pet cats and dogs under Regulation 6 of the European Communities (Pet Passport) Regulations 2012.

This allows the company to provide full documents and animal examinations of pets arriving from countries considered to be of high risk for animal diseases, services that to date were only available at one government-approved veterinary clinic six kilometres from Dublin Airport.

Said company managing director Eddie Mullin: "With our government approval, EFL is now the first company in Ireland that is able to manage the complete importation process for pets, from all parts of the world.

Said the EFL statement: "Providing the dog or cat clears the physical examination and document check they can be released and handed over to their owner without further delay. The complete process from arrival to release will take on average two hours."

The first clients to use the new mobile unit will be two cats originating from Thailand. EFL, the exclusive Irish agent of the U-Freight Group (UFL) worked closely with the latter's office in Bangkok to arrange the movement to Dublin.