The Poultry Keeper

milkmaid · Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 7337 Location: isle of lewis

NEWS RELEASE

Nobel House, 17 Smith Square, London SW1P 3JR
Out of hours telephone 020 7270 8960 Ref: 198/06
Date: 8 May 2006

Defra consults on new welfare of animals during transport rules

Consultation proposals for new national rules and procedures for the welfare of animals during transport are published today.

The new requirements will need to be in place by January 2007 to implement new EU rules.

They will affect those transporting all vertebrate animals in connection with an economic activity including hauliers and farmers transporting animals to market. They will not affect:

transport of animals not in connection with an economic activity e.g. taking a pet on holiday

journeys to or from a veterinary practice or clinic under veterinary instruction

farmers transporting their own animals in their vehicles under 50km

The new rules require among other things that:

From 5 January 2007 anyone transporting vertebrate animals over 65km must be specifically authorised
All vehicles used to transport animals over 8 hours must be inspected and approved against new standards and
From 5 January 2008, drivers and attendants on journeys over 65km must hold a certificate of competence if transporting horses, cattle, sheep, goats, pigs or poultry
Stringent rules will apply to all commercial journeys in respect of:

Responsibilities of transporters and keepers and handling practices
Fitness to travel and journey limits for young animals
Transport of horses and
Journeys through markets
Those affected will also include anyone providing training and assessment of drivers, attendants and market staff in welfare in transport rules.

Ben Bradshaw, minister for animal health and welfare, welcomed the implementation of these new rules.

He said: “These new rules, which the UK supported, will enable us to protect the welfare of animals in transport better than we do now.

“While they do not address the key welfare issues of journey times and space allowances they are a welcome step forward. We look forward to the Commission's review of the new rules including journey times in 2011.

“Defra and devolved administrations will be working closely with stakeholder organisations to help farmers, transporters and others understand the changes and what they must do to comply.”
Notes to editors
1. The Regulation applies to the transport of vertebrates (which therefore includes non farmed animals (e.g. horses, dogs) and birds) for commercial purposes (“in connection with an economic activity”).

2. The EU Regulation can be viewed here http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/lex/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2005/l_003/l_00320050105en00010044.pdf (PDF on Europa website)

3. For further information click on www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/welfare/farmed/transport.htm.

4. A consultation document is available at www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/animaltransport-eureg/index.htm or hard copies can be requested from:
Animal Welfare Division, Transport & Markets Team, 1A Page Street, London SW1P 4PQ

Tel: 020 7904 6566 Fax: 020 7904 6961

e-mail: aw-transport@defra.gsi.gov.uk (Deadline for comments by 31 July 2006).

5. Similar consultation arrangements are being held in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
looks like the only way we're going to be able to bring birds to the isle of lewis will be through hatching eggs Rolling Eyes

,it'll be interesting for anybody that wants to move rare breeds or are moving animals to the abotior from the bottom of harris
suz

mojo · Posted: Fri May 19, 2006 9:19 am Post subject:

i would get a copy of consulation document and see what arrangements are allowed for offshore islands.........ie ferrys .boat travel and carraige in private vechiles............maybe like in france ..the goods)ie chickens) are not actually sold till arrival that way you are transporting your own stock

Henwife · Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 3424 Location: Monmouthshire

If defra would use miles rather than foreign measurements it would be a step in the right direction. When living in a country that uses km. I am prepared to work out 5/8, but not in the UK.

CP · Posted: Fri May 19, 2006 10:54 am Post subject:

Loudmouth Schnook · Posted: Fri May 19, 2006 12:32 pm Post subject:

I see the same applies for anyone wanting to move their horses about in their own horseboxes... does this mean all horse owners have to go through some certification process???

jooles · Posted: Fri May 19, 2006 12:59 pm Post subject:

milkmaid · Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 7337 Location: isle of lewis

it's in Consultation at the moment but could have far reaching consiquences ,mind you some animals are transported in some really bad conditions ,
suz

Old Man of the 80's · Joined: 22 Apr 2006 Posts: 308 Location: Wittering, UK

poultry poofs · Posted: Wed May 31, 2006 11:07 am Post subject:

Its been on the cards for a long time and governs the commercial sector ie farmers smallholders livery stables etc anyone who makes a business out of their animals and has to move them around as part of their business more than 30 miles ie to Market,Races,Kennels etc.
Private individuals who move their animals around and which is not part of a commercial activity to do with those animals are not covered by the regulations----yet,but give them time Evil or Very Mad

.
It was aimed at stopping farm animals being cooped up for long journeys sometimes for very long periods but that is the fault of the drivers hours regulations that make lorry drivers involved in the transport of livestock exempt from the drivers hours laws primarily as they had to get the animals to their destination and fed and watered as soon as possible.The end result is the rules have been abused and transporters have used the exemptions to their advantage by transporting animals long distances for long periods of time with no concern for the welfare of the animal cargo as they dont have to comply with drivers hours laws.
Because of an ineptitude in one law we are now landed with a whole load of other red tape that is going to complicate the activities of many people who transport animals as part of their business.
Its bad enough at markets already, having vehicles and trailers inspected for cleanliness and safety issues before you are allowed to load or unload especially when the vast majority of ordinary people act responsibly.With the requirement for certificates of competence it makes things farcical.
You are legitimately competent to look after animal requirements on the ground on your farm but as soon as they go in a vehicle for any distance you need a certificate of competence! Some government appointed examiners for the new regs are going to make a small fortune out of awarding certificates and administering the governmental rubbish as usual or am I just being synical.
Its like the proposals that cows sheep and pigs have to have individual stalls inside the trailer container for transport to securely contain them during transport.Ludicrous nonsense from people who wouldnt know the front end of a cow from the back.
Hate governments, hate European Union,hate politicians, bah humbug Twisted Evil

rich

mojo · Posted: Thu Jun 01, 2006 10:02 am Post subject:

rich i do beleive you aint alone in this

CP · Posted: Thu Jun 01, 2006 11:41 am Post subject:

As usual it's the minority ruined it for the majority. Twisted Evil

Perhaps if we lived in a Utopian society, none of these laws would be necessary! (some hopes! Shocked

)