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Section 10: Guidance and Publicity Arrangements
10.1. This section discusses how best to publicise the implementation of the Regulation and the type of guidance to be made available.
10.2. In implementing previous welfare in transport legislation we produced "Guidance to WATO" document that was both widely used and well received. In the light of this, we are now considering the format of the new guidance.
10.3. Informal feedback from stakeholders so far indicates that guidance needs to be:
- Sector specific where possible
- Accessible via a range of routes
We therefore propose a short, simple leaflet aimed at farmers and hauliers moving vehicles that will be readily available free of charge. These will be available from:
- SEERAD/internet
- SVS Helpline/internet and HQ and local offices
- Veterinary surgeries
- At markets
- Key stakeholder organisations
- Where there is a SEERAD or SVS presence e.g. agricultural and other shows
Introductory Guidance
10.4 The purpose of this guidance will be to help businesses and individuals understand whether the rules apply to them and if they do, to what extent.
10.5 The guidance would cover:
- Scope
- Application
- Exemptions
- Definitions (e.g. commercial, what comprises a "journey")
- General requirements
- Authorisations
- Enforcement
- Penalties and appeals
- How the rules apply to different species
- Details of other guidance available
Detailed Guidance by Journey Type
10.6. Having determined whether the rules apply to them, businesses and individuals should then read the relevant guidance depending on the type of journeys they do. It is believed that in Scotland, the large majority of journeys for animals take less than 8 hours. However, there are a small number of journeys over 8 hours that take place in the UK, and an even smaller number of export journeys. We will therefore structure the guidance by length of journey so that it is more tailored to what the business is doing.
10.7. In taking this approach we will try and balance the needs of businesses and individuals affected with the disadvantages of producing too many different guidance documents.
10.8. We are considering whether there is a need for separate guidance for the horse and poultry sectors. There may also be a need for certain "minor" species, but we will consider any requests here on a case-by-case, cost/benefit basis. These could possibly be available on the Internet.
Fitness to Travel Guidance
10.9. Guidance will be made available on the SEERAD website
Additional Technical and Specialist Guidance
10.10 Technical and specialist guidance is currently being produced. This guidance will include:
- Vehicle construction: covering both farmed species and non-farmed species (of particular interest hauliers and vehicle/component manufacturers);
- Requirements for sea vessels: Fitted livestock vessels and Roll On Roll Off and advice to Masters of Vessels ( MVs);
- Requirements for rail and air journeys
10.11. It is proposed that these advice notes will be available on line or in hard copy.
| Feedback from stakeholders as to the quantity of technical and specialist guidance material that might be required and who might want to have a copy would be very helpful so that we can print and distribute the correct number. |
Guidance for Enforcement Officers
10.12. It is proposed that all guidance above will equally serve enforcement officers. However, additional guidance is proposed and will be drawn up in consultation with the SVS and the Local Authorities Coordinators of Regulatory Services ( LACORS).
Q. 40 We wish to provide guidance that can be easily used. How can the new guidance be best structured?
Q. 41 Can you suggest alternative or additional distribution routes? Are there other Government Departments or Agencies that you have contact with?
Q. 42 Do you have any evidence contrary to the Farm Practices Survey to suggest that a significant proportion of farmers would find the over 8 hr leaflet helpful?
Q. 43 For the non-farmed sectors, can you suggest any alternative approaches to get the message across to your members?
Q. 44 What type of guidance would you find particularly helpful? |
Publicity Arrangements
10.13 We propose to publicise the new rules via:
- News Releases;
- The support and input from stakeholder publications aimed at members, and additions to stakeholder mailings where this is possible;
- Information at agricultural shows etc;
- Veterinary surgeries;
- SVS and other Agencies where possible;
- Scottish Agricultural College welfare campaigns;
- Livestock markets
| Q. 45 Are there additional publicity mechanisms we should use? What support can your organisation offer? |
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