A team of experts has warned rabies may return to the UK if plans go ahead to loosen regulations on pet passports.

A team of experts has warned rabies may return to the UK if plans go ahead to loosen regulations on pet passports.

Under European Commission plans to harmonise rules across the EU, specific regulation that exists in the UK would have to be scrapped.

In a Veterinary Record Journal article, the scientists - Dr Paul Burr, Dr Susan Duthie and Dr Kate Turner Haig - warned rabies was "far from eradicated" in Europe.

They said if safe-guarding measures are removed, the disease could be brought into the UK again.

The scientists said if this happens, rabies could be passed on from animals to children.

Though the risk of importing the disease is small, it has been detected in animals in France and Germany as well as in eastern European states and Northern Italy.

It has also been reported in dogs that have been vaccinated.

Dr Burr, Dr Duthie and Dr Turner Haig, who specialise in serological testing for rabies and related viruses, said a "significant proportion" of animals currently fail the tests and are consequently prevented from travelling.

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