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Guidance

Northern Ireland pet travel scheme privacy notice

Updated 5 June 2026

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

© Crown copyright 2026

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/animal-and-plant-health-agency-privacy-notices/northern-ireland-pet-travel-scheme-privacy-notice

This privacy notice explains how your personal data is used and managed when you apply for and hold a pet travel document (PTD) under the Northern Ireland pet travel scheme. If you have any queries about the content of this privacy notice contact nipettravel@apha.gov.uk.

Who collects your personal data

The Secretary of State (SoS) for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is the controller for the personal data we collect.

The SoS for Defra is also the controller for the personal data processed when acting through the Animal and Plant Health Agency.

If you need further information about how we use your personal data and your associated rights, you can contact the data protection manager at data.protection@defra.gov.uk.

The Defra data protection officer is responsible for checking that we comply with legislation. You can contact them at defragroupdataprotectionofficer@defra.gov.uk.

What personal data we collect and how it is used

We collect your:

  • name
  • contact details
  • details of the pets for which you are the owner, keeper or both
  • vehicle registration

We have a statutory requirement to collect and use personal data to provide documentation for verification and validation of:

  • the pet travel document
  • pet and applicant details

The personal data is used to allow you to apply for and receive a PTD. It is also used to manage your per travel document and for compliance checking.

How your personal data has been obtained, if from a third party

Your data may be provided to us by an agent acting on your behalf when applying for travel documentation.

We may also receive journey information from the travel operator that you use when travelling with your pet.

Lawful basis for processing your personal data

The lawful basis for processing your personal data is the performance of a task carried out in the public interest and a legal obligation under or in the Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Regulations (EU) 2023/1231 which are adopted under The Windsor Framework (Non-Commercial Movement of Pet Animals) Regulations 2024.

The processing of your personal data is not based on consent. You cannot withdraw it.

Who we share your personal data with

Defra may share the personal data collected under this privacy notice with:

  • local authorities – to ensure compliance with the Northern Ireland Pet Travel Scheme, for example for disease control and traceability
  • the Northern Ireland government – the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) will view the outcomes of non-compliance checks, conduct pet checks in Northern Ireland, record the outcomes of these and ensure overall compliance with the Northern Ireland Pet Travel Scheme, for example for disease control and traceability
  • the Scottish and Welsh governments – to ensure the facilitation of the Northern Ireland Pet Travel Scheme
  • the European Commission – to ensure compliance with the Northern Pet Travel Scheme, for example for disease control and traceability

We respect your personal privacy when responding to access to information requests. We only share information when necessary to meet the statutory requirements of the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 and the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

How long we hold personal data

The Lifelong PTD is kept for 30 years from the date of issue. The Single use PTD is kept for 30 days from the data of issue.

What happens if you do not provide the personal data

If you do not provide the personal data, we will not be able to provide you with a PTD and you will not be able to travel with your pet to Northern Ireland using the Northern Ireland Pet Travel Scheme.

Use of automated decision making or profiling

The personal data you provide is not used for:

  • automated decision making (making a decision by automated means without any human involvement)
  • profiling (automated processing of personal data to evaluate certain things about an individual)

Transfer of your personal data outside of the UK

We will only transfer your personal data to another country that is deemed adequate for data protection purposes.

Your rights

Based on the lawful processing above, your individual rights are:

  • the right to be informed
  • the right of access
  • the right to rectification
  • the right to restrict processing
  • the right to object (public task only)
  • rights in relation to automated decision making and profiling

More information about your individual rights under the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA 2018).

Complaints

You have the right to make a complaint to the Information Commissioner’s Office at any time.

Personal information charter

Our personal information charter explains more about your rights over your personal data.

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