Welfare of Animals (Transport) Order (Northern Ireland) 1997

Article 4(6)

SCHEDULE 5

Part I Additional requirements for the construction and maintenance of means of transport and receptac les of mammals and birds not covered by Schedules 2, 3 and 4

Ventilation

1.  Means of transport and receptacles shall be constructed, maintained, operated and positioned to provide appropriate ventilation and air space.

Size and height

2.  The accommodation available for the carriage of animals shall be such that the animals are provided with adequate space to stand in their natural position.

Special provisions for receptacles

3.  Receptacles in which animals are transported shall be constructed and maintained so that they allow for appropriate inspection and care of the animals.

Special provisions for vehicles

4.  Vehicles shall be equipped with a roof which ensures effective protection against the weather.

5.  Vehicles shall be equipped, on each floor on which the animals (other than marine mammals) are carried (other than in receptacles), with barriers so constructed and maintained as to prevent any animal from falling out of the vehicle when any door used for loading and unloading is not fully closed.

6.—(1) Every ramp which is carried on or forms part of a vehicle shall be constructed, maintained and operated—

(a) to prevent slipping;

(b) so that it is not too steep for the age and species of the animal being transported;

(c) so that any step at the top or bottom of the ramp is not too high for the age and species of the animal being transported;

(d) so that any gap between the top of the ramp and the vehicle or at the bottom of the ramp is not too wide for the age and species of the animal being transported.

(2) In this paragraph, a ramp shall be considered too steep, a step shall be considered too high and a gap shall be considered too wide, if animals using the ramp, step or gap are likely to be caused injury or unnecessary suffering by reason of the slope of the ramp, the height of the step or the width of the gap.

(3) A ramp to which this paragraph applies shall be provided with suitable side barriers where necessary.

7.  In the case of animals which are normally required to be tied, suitable provision shall be made so that animals may be tied to the interior of the vehicle.

Part II Additional requirements for the transport of mammals and birds not covered by Schedules 2, 3 and 4

Loading equipment

8.—(1) Animals shall be loaded and unloaded in accordance with this paragraph.

(2) Save as provided in sub-paragraphs (5) and (6), animals shall be loaded and unloaded using suitable ramps, bridges, gangways or mechanical lifting gear, operated so as to prevent injury or unnecessary suffering to any animal.

(3) The flooring of any loading equipment shall be constructed so as to prevent slipping.

(4) Ramps, bridges, gangways and loading platforms shall be provided on each side with protection which is—

(a) of sufficient strength, length and height to prevent any animal using the loading equipment from falling or escaping; and

(b) positioned so that it will not result in injury or unnecessary suffering to any animal.

(5) An animal may be loaded or unloaded by means of manual lifting or carrying if the animal is of a size that it can easily be lifted by not more than two persons and loading is carried out without causing injury or unnecessary suffering to the animal.

(6) An animal may be loaded or unloaded without equipment or by manual lifting or carrying provided that, having regard to the age, height and species of the animal, it is unlikely to be caused injury or unnecessary suffering by being loaded in this manner.

Movement from floor to floor

9.—(1) Animals shall be moved from one floor or deck of a vehicle, vessel or receptacle to another in accordance with this paragraph.

(2) Save as provided in sub-paragraph (4), suitable ramps or mechanical lifting gear shall be used and operated so as to prevent injury or unnecessary suffering to any animal.

(3) Where a ramp or mechanical lifting gear is used it shall be—

(a) provided on each side with protection which is of sufficient strength, length and height to prevent any animal using it from falling or escaping;

(b) positioned so that it will not result in injury or unnecessary suffering to any animal; and

(c) of a gradient which is suitable to the age and species of the animal concerned.

(4) Manual lifting or carrying may be used if the animal is of a size that can easily be lifted by no more than two persons and the movement is carried out without causing injury or unnecessary suffering to the animal.

Segregation of species

10.  Animals shall not be carried in the same undivided pen, receptacle, vehicle or rail wagon as any other animal unless it is known that they are compatible with each other.

Duties of attendants

11.  The attendant or consignor’s agent shall look after the animals and, if necessary, feed and water them.

Notice describing an animal

12.  Where the means of transport or receptacle contains animals which are wild, timid or dangerous a notice to that effect shall be fixed to it.

Special provision for transport by water

13.  Vessels used for the transport of animals shall, before sailing, be provided with sufficient supplies of drinking water (unless they are equipped with a suitable system allowing its production) and appropriate foodstuffs, having regard to the species and number of animals being transported as well as the duration of the voyage.

Sedation

14.  Sedation shall be given only exceptionally and under the direct supervision of a veterinary surgeon. Written details of such sedation shall accompany the animal to its place of destination.

Conditioning of animals

15.  Where appropriate, animals shall be held for a suitable period prior to transport to prepare them for loading, unloading and transport. During that period they shall, if necessary, be moved gradually into their receptacle.

Birds in semi-darkness

16.  Birds shall be kept in semi-darkness.

Stacking of receptacles for marine mammals

17.  Receptacles in which marine mammals are transported shall not be stacked.