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Holiday season: useful tips on transporting animals, food imports and other issues
europa.eu - Press Release
With the holiday season fast approaching and millions of Europeans intending on travelling within and outside the European Union, there are some travel considerations that Europeans should be aware of. Whether these concern travelling with a pet, thinking of importing non-EU food products into the EU or resolving travel disputes with an operator, these tips provide a useful insight into the ways in which the EU is working to help and assist EU travellers.
I'm planning to enjoy the sun and the sea at the French Riviera this summer. Can I take my dog with me?
Yes, provided that your vet has vaccinated the dog for rabies and has entered the vaccination information in your dog's passport. A valid rabies vaccination is the only requirement needed to travel with your pet across borders of EU Member States. However, for the entry of pets into Ireland, Sweden, Malta or the United Kingdom, additional testing is required to verify that the vaccine has been effective. For these countries, and Finland, anti-parasite treatment has to be performed as well. Also, please note that if your dog is too young, he might not be allowed to accompany you. If this is the case, please check with the competent authorities of the Member State you're planning to visit to find out the specific conditions it sets for the travel of young pets. Finally, please note that these rules are only applicable to pet dogs, cats and ferrets – not any other types of pets.
I have been living permanently outside the EU and I'm now heading back home for the summer holiday this year. Can my pet cat join me?
Yes, provided you have certain documents accompanying your cat. If you are a resident of Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland or the Vatican City State, your pet cat could come along with its passport issued by your country of residence and accepted by the EU Member States. If you are visiting from another country, and depending on your holiday destination, you could be asked to vaccinate your cat and have him or her undergo tests for three months before entering the EU. In some cases, the cat would have to be quarantined. Please bear in mind that, in principle, the pet passport is only used for pets travelling between EU Member States.
I live in the EU. Where can I get the pet passport?
Please contact a veterinarian at your place of residence. The national authorities in each EU Member State issue the pet passport to the vets. Please note that the European Commission does not issue pet passports.
For more information on the pet passport and the movement of pets, please visit: http://ec.europa.eu/food/animal/liveanimals/pets/index_en.htm
My holidays in the Middle East are coming to an end and I would like to bring back some goat cheese from here. Can I do that?
Unfortunately that's not possible. When returning home from most countries outside the EU, it is illegal to bring back any meat or dairy products whether these are for yourself or as a gift for others. A few neighbouring countries are excluded. If you are returning from Croatia, the Faeroe Islands, Greenland or Iceland you can bring along less than 10 kilos of meat, milk or their products. A few other exemptions are also applicable. One, for instance, concerns powdered infant milk, infant food and special foods or special pet food required for medical reasons. But these products shouldn't weigh more than two kilos, they should not require refrigeration before opening, and they must be packaged with the packaging unbroken.
You can also bring back fish and certain shellfish provided they don't exceed 20 kilos in weight. If you are returning from the Faeroe Islands or Iceland however there are no weight restrictions for these fishery products. Other animal products, such as honey, also have a weight restriction of two kilos.
These rules do not apply to animal products transported between the EU27 or coming from Andorra, Liechtenstein, Norway, San Marino and Switzerland.
What if I decide to bring that cheese anyway?
By breaking the rules you could face serious delays at the port of entry, prosecution and a fine. You should also be aware that you won't be able to enjoy the product you attempted to bring in as personal consignments that break the rules are seized and destroyed.
It is important, however, to remember that these exist in order to protect your health and the health of the EU's livestock from serious animal diseases.
So, why take this unnecessary risk?
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How can I be sun safe this summer?
At the start of the holiday season, many people start to think about what they need to protect themselves and their families during a sunny summer or if travelling to a sunny destination.
Sunscreen products protect from UV radiation and can be effective in preventing sun-burn and skin cancer. Consumers should therefore use sunscreens appropriately: choosing sunscreen products with UVA and UVB protection (EU requirements on clear labelling make it easier to identify those products); using the right factor; using enough sunscreen; applying sunscreen regularly enough.
Being aware of risk factors is also important and sunscreen products should be only one of a number of measures to protect from the UV radiation of the sun. See information, facts and figures and pictograms at the following link.
For further information please see
http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/citizen/my_holidays/sunscreens_en.htm
http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/sectors/cosmetics/cosmetic-products/sunscreen-products/index_en.htm
http://ec.europa.eu/health-eu/news/sun_uv_en.htm
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During my holidays, I have had problems with an airline, a car rental company or a tour operator. Who can help me?
If you have problems with a scheduled or charter airline (such as flight cancellations or delays), you have specific rights under the EU's Passenger Rights Regulation (see MEMO/10/281). If you believe that your consumer rights have not been respected in some other way (for example, you are unable to get reimbursement for a package holiday by the travel company, or a car rental company has overcharged you for a service which you have not requested), complain to the company first and see if you can resolve the problem by mutual agreement.
If this fails, then turn to your national consumer organisation for advice. A list of contacts is available at:
http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/empowerment/cons_networks_en.htm#national
If you are unable to resolve the complaint with a company based in another EU country, a European Consumer Centre in your country can help you with your case.
The European Consumer Centres Network (ECC-Net) is an EU-wide network co-sponsored by the European Commission and the Member States. It is made up of 29 centres, one in each of the 27 EU Member States and also in Iceland and Norway. The ECCs can offer legal and practical advice, help to mediate with a company in another European country, or propose other solutions.
More on the ECC-Net, including contact details:
http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/ecc/index_en.htm
Report on a new stategy for the Single Market
15th of may, 2010
Professor Mario Monti's mission
20 octobre 2009 - 30 mai 2010
"I believe the 20th anniversary is the right time to bring forward a major package for tomorrow's single market, with proposals for specific actions to plug the gaps in today's single market, and to ensure that the benefits of the internal market get through to the final consumer.
Markets do not exist in isolation. They exist to serve a purpose. And that purpose is prosperity for all." President José Manuel Barroso, 3 September 2009
Political Guidelines for the Next Commission
"The current economic crisis has once again underlined how crucial the Single Market is for the success of the European project. I look forward to exploring how we can remove the remaining obstacles and reinvigorate the process. This may require a fresh look at how the market and the social dimension of an integrated European economy can be mutually strengthened." Mario Monti, 20 October 2009
The Single Market is the cornerstone of Europe's integration and sustainable growth. As the European Union approaches the 20th anniversary of the symbolic date of 1992, President Barroso believes, as announced in his Political Guidelines, that the Single Market requires renewed political determination so that it can withstand the threat of economic nationalism and reach its full potential.
President Barroso has therefore decided to entrust Mario Monti, President of Bocconi University and former Commissioner for the Internal market, Financial services and Tax policy (1995-1999) and for Competition (1999-2004), with the mission of preparing a report containing options and recommendations for an initiative to relaunch the Single Market as a key strategic objective of the new Commission.
Throughout this mission Mr Monti will be able to rely on the Commission’s expertise and support, specifically the Bureau of European Policy Advisors (BEPA). He may hold consultations with the European Parliament, with the relevant Commissioners, with the competent authorities of Members States and with think-tanks involved in the field.
Consumer rights: "full harmonisation no longer an option"
10th of april, 2010
Full harmonisation of all consumer rights in the EU would in practice mean a levelling down of some such rights, believe MEPs. "This is no longer an option", agreed Commissioner Viviane Reding when speaking to the EP Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee on 17. march 2010. Under pressure from MEPs and several Member States, the Commission is prepared to bandon this idea. According to the Commission, full harmonisation of all consumer rights in the EU would end the fragmentation of the single market, improve legal clarity, guarantee the same protection to all consumers and stimulate crossborder trade. But many MEPs, while supporting these goals, think full harmonisation would in practice lead to an unacceptable levelling down of certain consumer rights. Work on a directive that would for the first time bring together all consumer rights in a single law began two years ago in the European Parliament. But the proposal to apply the method of full harmonisation under this legislation has led to political deadlock.
A new proposal needed
Seeking to find a way forward, the new Commissioner responsible for this area, Viviane Reding, has decided not to take the same line as her predecessor. "It's up to the legislator to decide. The Commission will adapt", she told members of he Internal Market Committee. "Are you prepared to withdraw the initial proposal and bring forward a new one?" asked Evelyne Gebhardt (S&D, DE). The Commission would be willing to do this after first reading if Parliament and the Council were in agreement. It would then drop the draft irective's Article 4, which provides for full harmonisation and states that Member States may not keep or introduce into national law any provisions - whether stricter or more flexible - which are ot laid down by the directive.
Targeted harmonisation according to consumers' interests
The ommission also accepts the principle of "targeted" harmonisation advocated by several MEPs. This means the degree of harmonisation would depend in each case on the benefit to consumers. Maximum harmonisation would thus no longer be used "automatically and blindly", in he words of Emilie Turunen (Greens/EFA, DK). The Commission is proposing to distinguish between direct transactions and those done at a distance. In the first category, where there are big differences between national laws, the "pragmatic", targeted solution would be used. In the second category, especially for internet shopping, where security for consumers and legal clarity for operators are crucial, there should be maximum harmonisation of the rules.
A directive for consumers or for business?
The directive needs to benefit both consumers and companies from he outset. Consumer confidence would mean increased business. Clearer rules would make life easier for both. But several MEPs feel this balance is not apparent in the draft proposal. "The goal of improving consumer protection must be at least as visible as the goal of boosting the single market", stressed Robert Rochefort (ALDE, FR). Sylvana Rapti (S&D, GR) even called on the Commissioner to make clear her priorities by choosing between consumers and business. Viviane Reding argued that these goals did not conflict but were mutually compatible. However, it was clear that "a directive on consumer rights cannot reduce such rights".
Next steps
Andreas Schwab, the committee rapporteur, will in April present a proposal for an amended version of the first chapter of the directive, which includes the controversial provisions on harmonisation. Before the summer, his full draft report should be submitted to the Internal Market Committee, which is expected to hold its vote in September. The matter could come before the full Parliament in November. The rapporteur also announced he would ask the Commission for a series of studies analysing the optimum degree of harmonisation "chapter by chapter".