European Union: Regulation on travelling with pets

On 16 June the European Commission adopted a proposal according to which transitional animal health requirements applicable to the movement of pet animals travelling with their owners to Finland, Ireland, Malta, Sweden and the United Kingdom are to be extended until 31 December 2011. The proposal will be discussed by the European Parliament and the Council, with a view to formal adoption through the co-decision procedure.

In accordance with the current rules laid down in Regulation (EC) 998/2003 (known as the "Pet Regulation"), pet dogs, cats and ferrets travelling with their owner for non-commercial movements to another Member State must be accompanied by a passport or, when imported from a third country, by a certificate providing proof of a valid anti-rabies vaccination.

The Regulation also grants a transitional period expiring 30 June 2010 to Finland, Ireland, Malta, Sweden and the United Kingdom to make the entry of pet animals into their territory subject to compliance with certain additional requirements in relation with rabies, the tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis or ticks (the "transitional regime").

The Commission considers that the conditions for moving to a fully harmonised set of rules throughout the EU that would avoid unnecessary burden for travellers are almost entirely fulfilled.

Source: European Commission, DG Health and Consumers, Health & Consumer Voice July 2009 Edition

More information at:
http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/09/277&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN

"Enlargement of the Schengen area to be completed: border controls to be lifted at airports on 30 March"

As stated today by the EU Press Room, "On 21 December 2007, Estonia, the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Hungary, Latvia, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia became part of the Schengen area. On Sunday 30 March 2008 at 0:00, the enlargement process will be completed by lifting air border controls between these countries and with the 15 states that were already part of the Schengen system.
Vice-President of the European Commission, Jacques Barrot declared: 'The dismantling of air border controls is the final step toward completion of a unique and historical achievement: 24 countries of the EU have no internal borders. The Commission pays tribute to those Member States that have put in place state of the art security systems and special 'Schengen terminals' at their airports. The enlargement of the Schengen area demonstrates the EU's commitment to facilitating legitimate travelling within and into the EU whilst at the same time improving the security of Europe's external borders'."

This Press Release is available in full text.

"Departure tax: Government urged to settle issue before European court ruling"

As reported by Herman Grech, at The Times of Malta, "The government may be forced to refund the departure taxes paid by passengers since May 2004 if European Commission action in the European Court is successful.
MEP Simon Busuttil, who was the first to question the legality of the departure tax in its existing format, told The Times there was good reason for Malta to settle this issue before the court delivers its judgement."

Read this article in full text.

"Airport tax at Malta Airport: Commission takes Malta to the Court of Justice"

As stated by the EU Press Room, "The European Commission considers the airport tax levied at Malta International Airport to discriminate between air passengers. The Commission has therefore decided today to lodge a formal complaint to the European Court of Justice. Air passengers travelling from Malta to other EU Member States will benefit from eliminating the discriminatory effects of the airport tax.
The airport tax is discriminatory as it is only levied on air passengers beginning an international journey from Malta airport, but not levied if the passenger had started the journey outside Malta. The tax therefore puts an unfair burden on residents in Malta, and makes it more difficult for them to receive and provide services in other Member States [Article 49 of the EC Treaty].
Furthermore, domestic destinations are exempted from the airport tax. According to the Commission the airport tax should not differentiate between domestic and other intra-Community flights.
The Court case constitutes the third step in the relevant infringement procedure. First, a letter of formal notice was sent to Malta on 4 July 2006, and then a reasoned opinion was delivered on 15 December 2006."

"Commission allows Malta to aid the creation of new air routes"

According to the EU Press Room, "The European Commission has decided today to allow Malta to grant start-up aid for new air routes from Malta International Airport. The measure will last until September 2011 and provides for a total of Lm25 million (€58 million) to airlines in order to finance new routes. The primary objective of the aid is to improve connectivity by enhancing access to air transport services which are of basic importance for the economic and social development of Malta."

This Press Release is available in full text.

EUTO convention in Malta

During the last week of October, the Malta Tourism Society will be hosting delegates from the European Union of Tourism Officers (EUTO) to a convention and study visit. This annual event is part funded through the Leonardo da Vinci mobility initiatives which promote cultural and educational exchange across Europe.
Themed Developing Sustainable Tourism Reviving the Past to Build the Future, an exchange of best practice, this year s convention and study visit will take place between October 22 to 29. The focus will be on creating a unique experience for visitors to the island by capitalizing on all the possible cultural, social and historical resources which these small islands can offer. A number of local and international speakers are being invited to contribute to the convention and also to the study visits included in the program.
The convention will be addressed by the Maltese Tourism and Culture Minister Francis Zammit Dimech on October 23.
EUTO is an organization that fosters trans-national networking between all European middle and top managers principally engaged in the work of tourism promotion and development. Further details to be found here.