The Scottish Government

The Commercial Transport of Animals

Our objective is to ensure high standards of welfare for transported animals; they should be treated in a humane and caring way at all stages of a journey. This requires well-maintained vehicles, designed with the welfare of animals in mind, and sympathetic handling by properly trained and competent personnel.

If you have any reason for concern about the treatment of an animal during transport please bring it to the attention of the Local Authority (normally the Trading Standards Department) or Animal Health staff (formerly the State Veterinary Service) at your nearest Animal Health Office. See Useful Contacts for details.

Legislation

EU Animal Welfare during Transport Regulation ( Regulation (EC) 1/2005) - The Regulation came into force on 5 January 2007 and aims to improve animal welfare during transport through raising transportation standards and in particular provides improvements in enforcement capability. The Regulation replaces the Welfare of Animals (Transport) Order (WATO) 1997. Whilst most of the animal welfare requirements remain the same as required under WATO '97, the key changes include the need for specific authorisations for all transporters moving animals over 65km, the inspection and approval of vehicles undertaking long journeys and driver competency certification. The above links provides access to all the available guidance and the Regulation itself.

The Welfare of Animals (Transport) (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (which came into on 25 January 2007) provides the necessary national legislation to allow for the administration and enforcement of the EC Regulation. It also provides for derogations (in respect of road journeys within GB which don't exceed 12 hours) from pigs requiring continuous access to water; the need for insulated roofs; the need to meet temperature requirements and the need for ventilation systems, temperature monitoring systems and navigation systems.

EU Welfare in transport Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 - Main requirements

This is a summary of the main requirements. It should read this along with the Regulation and with reference to the detailed guidance as necessary.

The Regulation covers the transport of all vertebrate animals in connection with an economic activity, but its primary focus is on farm animals, poultry and horses. The key requirement is that no one should transport an animal in a way likely to cause injury or undue suffering to that animal. The full list of general conditions for the transport of animals is given in Article 3 of the Regulation. It applies, for example, to livestock and equine hauliers, farmers, animal breeders, transporters of performing animals and those working at markets assembly centres and slaughterhouses. It does not apply, for example, to individuals who ride for pleasure who transport their own horse or to individuals taking their own pets on holiday. It also doesn't apply to a farmer transporting a single animal.

Transporter requirements for journeys up to 65KM

Transporters are not required to have vehicle authorisation or training and certificates of competence for journeys of less than 65 Km. However, they must comply with the technical rules on fitness to travel, means of transport and transport practices. See Annex 1 of the Regulation.

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Transporter authorisation for journeys over 65 km and under 8 hours

Authorisation will be granted, and will be valid for 5 years, if transporters can comply with the following:

• The transporter has an established business or, in the case of businesses established outside of the UK, is represented in the country
• The transporter can demonstrate that they have appropriate staff, equipment and operational procedures to transport animals in compliance with the new Regulation
• The transporter has no record of serious infringements of animal welfare legislation in the 3 years preceding application

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Transporter authorisation for journeys over 8 hours

The authorisation will be valid for 5 years. Authorisation will be granted if transporters can comply with the following:

• The transporter has an established business or, in the case of businesses established outside of the UK, is represented in the country
• The transporter can demonstrate that they have appropriate staff, equipment and operational procedures to transport animals in compliance with the new Regulation
• The transporter has no record of serious infringements of animal welfare legislation in the 3 years preceding application
• The transporter must provide:
  
  • valid certificates of approval vehicles and containers
  • details of procedures enabling transporters to trace and record the movement of road vehicles under their responsibility and to contact the drivers at any time
  • contingency plans in the event of emergencies

All new vehicles used for the transport of farmed animals or horses (except registered horses) have a satellite navigation system. This requirement will apply to all vehicles (old and new) used for the transport of farmed animals or horses (except registered horses) from 2009

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Training and competence for drivers and attendants and assembly centre personnel

Drivers or attendants responsible for the transport of farmed animals, horses and poultry over 65km will be required to hold a certificate of competence from 5 January 2008.

Assembly centre staff will not be required to obtain a certificate of competence but will need to have undergone training.

The training courses will cover the technical and administrative aspects of the rules and regulations that apply to the protection of animals during transport. These include:

• general conditions of transporting animals
• the documents that are required
• fitness for transport
• journey planning
• animal physiology and feed needs, animal behaviour and the concept of stress
• practical aspects of handling animals
• impact of driving behaviour on welfare of animals and on the quality of meat
• emergency care for animals
• safety of personnel handling animals

The certificate of competence will be awarded once an independent assessment of knowledge of the above has been made.

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Specific requirements for the transport of horses

• Horses must be transported in single partitions on journeys longer than 8 hours, or when transported in a vehicle on a roll-on roll-off ferry (other than a mare and foal)
• A minimum space above the withers must be given
• Unbroken ponies may not be transported in groups of more than four and cannot be transported on journeys longer than 8 hours by road
• Foals under 4 months must have appropriate bedding and (unless with their mother) may not be transported for longer than 8 hours by road

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Exemptions from the Regulation

The Regulation does not apply to the transport of animals:

• Where the transport is not in connection with an economic activity; or
• Transport to or from veterinary practices or clinics under veterinary advice; or
• When the animal is an individual animal, is accompanied by its owner or other responsible person and is fit for the intended journey; or
• Where the animals are pet animals accompanied by their owner on a journey.

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Animals that cannot be transported

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Construction and Maintenance of Vehicles

There are both general and specific rules on the construction and maintenance of vehicles, including receptacles (e.g. trailers). Examples of specific rules include ventilation requirements, loading equipment (such as ramps) and the segregation of non-compatible animals.

Information on container requirements for air transportation can be found under the IATA website ( www.iata.org) on live animal regulations.

Journey Times

Before a journey can begin, animals must generally have been accommodated, fed and watered at the place of loading for transport for 48 hours, (There are exceptions for journeys starting from approved assembly centres). There are maximum journey times for farm animals and horses, and these include the need to feed, water and rest animals. Journey times are also linked to vehicle standards.

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Enforcement

Local Authorities have the prime responsibility to enforce welfare during transport legislation. Animal Health (formerly the State Veterinary Service) veterinary inspectors also have powers to ensure compliance with the legislation.

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