1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192 
How now,
Page 32
Page 33
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
brown cow?
As the European Union expands, the potential for disagreement among member states seems certain to expand with it. A prime example of how tough it can be to reconcile the interests of so many different countries was the recent failure by farm ministers to agree on proposed European Commission regulations for the transportation of live animals.
As the European Union expands, the potential for disagreement among member states seems certain to expand with it. A prime example of how tough it can be to reconcile the interests of so many different countries was the recent failure by farm ministers to agree on proposed European Commission regulations for the transportation of live animals.
As the European Union expands, the potential for disagreement among member states seems certain to expand with it. A prime example of how tough it can be to reconcile the interests of so many different countries was the recent failure by farm ministers to agree on proposed European Commission regulations for the transportation of live animals. Ten months after the EC first announced plans for a 'one-size-fits-all' set of livestock
haulage regulations, the idea was shredded by feuding ministers (CM 6 May).
The new restrictions left some southern European countries, such as Greece, fearing they would only be able to import frozen meat. Northern European states like the Netherlands, on the other hand, had concerns about the potential effect on their export trade.
The matter was further complicated by the seemingly impossible task of reconciling limits on travel time for live animals with existing drivers' hours regulations.
The EC had hoped to harmonise journey times throughout the EU, as well as the rules covering feeding, rest, watering and loading. But Roger Wrapson, secretary of the Road Haulage Association's Livestock Carriers Group,believes there's a chance the plans have been buried for good.
"I think the European Commission rather wishes it had not got involved in the whole thing," he says. "It did try to muscle it through. In the UK we were fairly relaxed about the regulations but other countries would really have had some problems."
With the EC proposals off the agenda, at least for the foreseeable future, the UK's 500 or so livestock hauliers need to be up to speed with the existing national regulations.
So here are the 10 things you need to know about Britain's current rules governing the transport of livestock...
1. Travel times vary
1. Travel times vary
Under the Welfare of Animals (Transport) Order 1997 (WATO) there are different travel times set down for different animals on longdistance journeys. For young unweaned calves, lambs, kids, foals and piglets it's a maximum of nine hours, followed by at least one hour's rest for feeding or water and then another nine hours travel. Cattle, sheep and goats can spend 14 hours travelling, then an hour's rest and another 14 hours. But pigs can spend up to 24 hours in transit, providing they have continuous access to water. Horses can also spend 24 hours in transit but they must be watered and, if necessary, fed every eight hours.
2. Time at market is not included Under the current rules, the time an animal spends at market does not count towards its overall journey time. So if a haulier collects animals he did not take to market in the first place, the market then becomes the beginning of the journey. However, the animals cannot be moved unless they have been at market for at least one hour, or enough time for them to be fed and watered.
2. Time at market is not included Under the current rules, the time an animal spends at market does not count towards its overall journey time. So if a haulier collects animals he did not take to market in the first place, the market then becomes the beginning of the journey. However, the animals cannot be moved unless they have been at market for at least one hour, or enough time for them to be fed and watered.
3. Animals must have space
The WATO regulations state that animals must have enough space to be able to stand in their natural position. Vehicles must also offer "appropriate ventilation and sufficient air
space" above the animals to allow air to circulate properly. They must also be built in such a way that all the animals inside can be inspected from the outside, with the necessary openings and footholds in the right places.
4. Ramps must follow the rules Injury to animals can often occur during loading and unloading. The WATO regs state that any ramps that are used must be non-slip and "not too steep for the age and species of the animal being transported". If there is a step at the top or bottom of the ramp it must not be too steep and gaps must be kept to a minimum. Ramps must be fitted with guard rails to stop animals falling or escaping.
4. Ramps must follow the rules Injury to animals can often occur during loading and unloading. The WATO regs state that any ramps that are used must be non-slip and "not too steep for the age and species of the animal being transported". If there is a step at the top or bottom of the ramp it must not be too steep and gaps must be kept to a minimum. Ramps must be fitted with guard rails to stop animals falling or escaping.
5. Sick animals must be treated
If animals fall sick or are injured in transport they must be treated as soon as possible. This could be first aid or it could involve appropriate veterinary treatment. They might even have to be slaughtered, depending on the injuries and suffering involved.
6. Excessive force is banned WATO states that no-one may use excessive force to control animals. It outlaws the use of
6. Excessive force is banned WATO states that no-one may use excessive force to control animals. It outlaws the use of
any device that can give an electric shock as well as the use of a stick on cattle of six months or under. Such instruments can be used on adult cattle and pigs, but only on the hindquarters. And it warns: "The use of any such instrument shall be avoided as far as possible."
7. Some animals to be segregated Animals of the same species can usually be carried in a vehicle that is not divided into partitions. But there are some exceptions to this rule, including a cow with suckling calves, a sow with unweaned piglets, a mare with a foal, a bull over ten months old, a breeding boar over six months old and a stallion.
7. Some animals to be segregated Animals of the same species can usually be carried in a vehicle that is not divided into partitions. But there are some exceptions to this rule, including a cow with suckling calves, a sow with unweaned piglets, a mare with a foal, a bull over ten months old, a breeding boar over six months old and a stallion.
However, if animals are put in together, the haulier is required to take steps to protect them from injury or suffering if a beast becomes aggressive.
8. Rest after ferry crossings
If animals are transported by ferry to the Continent without being unloaded they must be allowed a 12-hour rest period after unloading at the port of destination "or in its immediate vicinity". The exception to this rule is where the sailing time can be included in the rules on travel times mentioned above. Depending on
how near the destination is to the port, there is a clause in the WATO regs that allows journey times to be extended by two hours if it's "in the interests of the animals".
9. Paperwork must be in order
A livestock haulier must always be able to produce an animal transport certificate, unless the journey is 50km or less.This must state the transporter's name and address, as well as that of the owner of the animals. It must also detail where and when they were first loaded, the final destination and where and when appropriate rest breaks were taken. The certificate must be retained for six months and handed over to an inspector on demand. If animals are being moved between EU member states and the journey time exceeds eight hours a route plan is also required.
10. Penalties
If an inspector suspects an animal may suffer during transport he can issue a notice banning a movement, either indefinitely or for a stated period of time. He can also require the haulier to take them back to where they came from, or even arrange for the humane slaughter of livestock. If a haulier does not comply, the inspector can arrange transportation himself and bill the haulier for any costs incurred. The ultimate penalty, under the Animal Health Act 1981, is an unlimited fine or even jail. s