Monday, 13 October 2008
Lost and Stray Dogs"No animal shall be transported unless it is fit for the intended journey, and all animals shall be transported in conditions guaranteed not to cause them injury or unnecessary suffering" (Source: Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 on the protection of animals during transport and related operations and amending Directives).
Advice for farmers, hauliers and transporters of horses, farm livestock, poultry, gamebirds and farmed fish for human consumption
If you transport animals you should make sure you know about the new rules and procedures that will affect you. These new rules are aimed at improving the welfare of animals during transport. The new rules came into force on 5 January 2007 and will affect anyone transporting live vertebrate animals in connection with an economic activity.
In the UK we have always emphasised the need for animals to be transported in a way that would not cause injury or unnecessary suffering. This will continue. All persons who take animals on a journey, whatever the length, should always apply the following good transport practice:
The journey is properly planned and time is kept to a minimum and the animals are checked and their needs met during the journey
The animals are fit to travel
The vehicle and loading and unloading facilities are designed, constructed and maintained to avoid injury and suffering
Those handling animals are trained or competent in the task and do not use violence or any methods likely to cause unnecessary fear, injury or suffering
Water, feed and rest are given to the animals as needed, and sufficient floor space and height is allowed
From 5 January 2007, a new Regulation on the protection of animals during transport will apply across the European Union (EU), with some elements coming into force later in 2008 or 2009. It will replace European Directive 91/628. The Welfare of Animals (Transport) Order 1997 (WATO) and its equivalent in N.Ireland, which implemented the Directive, will accordingly be replaced with new Orders in England, Scotland, Wales and N.Ireland. These will put the arrangements for complying with the new EU Regulation in place. Consultation
on this is currently taking place.
The Regulation will apply to all those involved with the transport of vertebrate animals in connection with an economic activity. For example, livestock and equine hauliers, farmers, animal breeders, performing animal transporters and those working at markets, assembly centres and slaughterhouses.
It would not apply to individuals who ride for pleasure who transport their own horses, or to individuals taking their own pets on holiday.
A DEFRA leaflet is available to download at the following link
http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/welfare/farmed/transport/pdf/transport-leaflet.pdf
Further information on the new regulations, including a summary of the main requirements, can be found on the DEFRA website at the following link;
http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/welfare/farmed/transport/eu-transportreg.htm
The Welfare in Transport Section Helpline can be contacted on Tel: 0845 603 8395
From January 2007 if you transport animals in connection with an economic activity over 65 km (approx 40 miles) you will need a valid transporter authorisation. The application forms and guidance notes are below:
Guidance notes on the application forms
http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/welfare/farmed/transport/pdf/authorisation-guidance.pdf
Authorisation application form for journeys over 65km and up to 8 hours
http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/regulat/forms/awelf/wit1.pdf
Authorisation application form for journeys of any length including those over 8 hours
http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/regulat/forms/awelf/wit2.pdf
