New U.S. border rules for dogs contain concessions won by health minister, who remains 'concerned'

Health Minister Mark Holland says he has secured concessions to the new rules being imposed by the United States on dog owners bringing their pets across the border, but remains «concerned» about the forthcoming changes.

«I am quite concerned, if I'm honest, about the regulations that are being brought in by the United States, as of August 1, requiring a number of new measures for folks bringing their dogs across the border,» he said in Ottawa Wednesday.

Holland said the U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention's new rules are not only going to impact Canadians, but also Americans who travel to Canada with their pets and have to face the new rules when they go back home.

«I think that was a very poorly thought out bit of business and it's going to have a huge impact for Americans,» he said.

The health minister said rules requiring that dogs be microchipped with a specific type of chip have been relaxed, so any type of microchip will now be accepted.

The requirement that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) verify vaccine certificates for dogs has also been removed. A veterinarian in Canada will still have to certify that the dog has been vaccinated for rabies for at least six months before travel.

Holland also said that he has had «very positive indications» that a request for a grace period for a couple of months may be approved, but that has yet to be confirmed.

«We made good progress, this significantly improves the situation, but it's not enough,» Holland said of the concessions he has secured to the new rules.

Asked if he planned to impose similar rules for Americans, Holland said he is going to focus all of his energy on securing a grace period and, if possible, an exemption for Canada.

«Both countries