Prime Minister Andy Burnham is set to agree a new deal with the European Union that will revive pet passports and reduce travel costs, ending the need for expensive certificates for pet owners, according to reports.
The agricultural deal, which Britain is expected to sign at an EU-UK summit next month, will allow travellers to bring their dogs, cats and ferrets into EU territory for the animals' lifetime without the need for costly certificates and medical treatments for each trip. The Times and The Guardian both report that the deal is part of a broader package of agreements.
Three agreements on the table
The food and farming deal is one of three agreements Mr Burnham is set to sign with Brussels negotiators at the EU-UK summit on November 20. The other two cover emissions trading and a youth mobility scheme.
According to the Prime Minister, the Treasury had confirmed in recent days that the agreements under negotiation could raise GDP by 0.4%, up from the previous estimate of 0.3%. He said the public will expect him to grab "with both hands" that opportunity to boost economic growth through closer trade ties with the EU.
Prime Minister's comments
Speaking to broadcasters during a Commonwealth summit in Antigua, Mr Burnham said: "What's facing me two weeks on Friday is a UK-EU summit where I have the opportunity to add to UK growth. It's estimated up to 0.4% extra on GDP."
"I think people in Britain would expect me to take that with both hands, given where we've been in recent times, and that's what I'm doing," he added.
Draft text circulated
In a sign that the food and agriculture deal is almost finalised, a draft text has been circulated among the 27 EU members, the BBC reported, along with similar documents on the emissions trading and youth mobility plans.
The Prime Minister also appeared to respond to Tory leader Kemi Badenoch, who has warned against reopening debates about Brexit as the Government explores options for the UK's long-term relationship with the bloc. "Those who are making the argument over 'oh my goodness, don't open up this psychodrama' are misreading the public mood in my view," he told The Economist.
Mr Burnham has told ministers that the Government will "explore options" following the EU-UK summit for a different long-term relationship settlement that will eventually be put to the public. His remarks have fuelled questions about the prospect of the UK returning to the EU or adopting its freedom of movement rules, but the Prime Minister has insisted voters would ultimately be "the boss" of any changes.
