Transporting Animals
"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.
EU Regulations for transporting animals apply from 5 January 2007
If you transport animals you should make sure you know about the rules and procedures that will affect you. These rules are aimed at improving the welfare of animals during transport. The rules came into force on 5 January 2007 and 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 5th January 2007
The Regulation on the protection of animals during transport was applied across the European Union (EU). The Regulation applies 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 does 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 on the following link http://www.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/farmanimal/welfare/transport/documents/transport-leaflet.pdf
Further information on the regulations, including a summary of the main requirements, can be found on the DEFRA website at the following link; http://www.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/farmanimal/welfare/transport/euguidance/index.htm
The Welfare in Transport Section Helpline can be contacted on Tel: 0845 603 8395
Transporter authorisation application forms
From January 2007, if you transport animals in connection with an economic activity over 65 km (approx 40 miles) you need a valid transporter authorisation. The application forms for journeys over 65km and up to 8 hours and those over 8 hours can be found on the following link
http://www.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/farmanimal/welfare/transport/euguidance/index.htm
Training and Competence Certification
Training
Since the EU welfare in transport Regulation came into force on 5 January 2007, transporters and handlers of vertebrate animals in connection with an economic activity and market and assembly centre staff handling animals have been required to undertake training in the relevant technical provisions of the Regulation. For transporters this covers: fitness for travel; the means of transport; use of its facilities; loading, unloading and handling; watering and feeding intervals, journey times and rest periods; space allowances; and documentation. For market and assembly centre staff: fitness, handling and separation.
The precise format and who may provide training is not specified in the Regulation. Therefore, it is considered that training may be achieved by means of on-the-job instruction combined with practical experience or by more formal methods such as college courses leading to standards equivalent to qualifications accredited into the National Qualifications Framework.
Competence Certification
Since 5 January 2008, those transporting and handling domestic species of cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, domestic equidae and poultry by road on journeys over 65km in connection with an economic activity must be independently assessed in their competence.
Those assessed as competent will receive a certificate of competence. The certificate will be specific to the role the transporter or attendant is charged with, the length of journeys to be undertaken and the species to be transported.
a) assessment of those involved in journeys over 65km and up to eight hours may be made by means of a theory test;
b) assessments of those involved in journeys over eight hours must also include practical assessment of their competence including animal handling, and if required, driving skills.
See the link above for more information.
Lost and Stray Dogs
