Cork Airport has been added as an approved entry point for pet dogs, cats and ferrets entering the country from outside the EU.

Cork and Shannon Airports are now added to the list of existing approved Irish “Travellers’ Points of Entry” - Dublin Airport, Rosslare Europort and Port of Cork - Ringaskiddy - through which pet dogs, cats and ferrets from non-EU/EEA countries are allowed to enter Ireland.

Designating these airports as points of entry for non-EU pet dogs, cats and ferrets gives these visitors more freedom to choose their point of entry into Ireland.

Under the EU Pet Travel Regulation, countries must designate specific “Travellers’ Points of Entry” – ports through which pet dogs, cats and ferrets originating in non-EU countries are permitted to enter the EU country.

Dogs, cats and ferrets are grouped together in the EU legislation because those three species are susceptible to rabies. Ireland has been free from rabies since 1903.

Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed said: “This step acknowledges that increasingly, visitors to Ireland want to bring their pets – mainly dogs - with them, and would like to arrive in Ireland in Cork or Shannon. Designating these Airports as points of entry for non-EU pet dogs, cats and ferrets gives these visitors more freedom to choose their point of entry into Ireland.

"The risk to Ireland from rabies is low, but increasing movements of animals into and throughout Europe means that we must remain vigilant.”