Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005Show full title

CHAPTER III TRANSPORT PRACTICES

1. Loading, unloading and handling

1.1. Due regard shall be paid to the need of certain categories of animals, such as wild animals, to become acclimatised to the mode of transport prior to the proposed journey.

1.2. Where loading or unloading operations last for more than four hours, except for poultry:

(a)

appropriate facilities shall be available in order to keep, feed and water the animals outside the means of transport without being tied;

(b)

operations shall be supervised by an authorised veterinarian and particular precautions shall be taken to ensure that the welfare of the animals is properly maintained during these operations.

Facilities and procedures

1.3. Facilities for loading and unloading, including the flooring, shall be designed, constructed, maintained and operated so as to:

(a)

prevent injury and suffering and minimise excitement and distress during animal movements as well as to ensure the safety of the animals. In particular, surfaces shall not be slippery and lateral protections shall be provided so as to prevent animals from escaping;

(b)

be cleaned and disinfected.

1.4.

(a)

Ramps shall not be steeper than an angle of 20 degrees, that is 36,4 % to the horizontal for pigs, calves and horses and an angle of 26 degrees 34 minutes, that is 50 % to the horizontal for sheep and cattle other than calves. Where the slope is steeper than 10 degrees, that is 17,6 % to the horizontal, ramps shall be fitted with a system, such as provided by foot battens, which ensure that the animals climb or go down without risks or difficulties;

(b)

lifting platforms and upper floors shall have safety barriers so as to prevent animals falling or escaping during loading and unloading operations.

1.5. Goods which are being transported in the same means of transport as animals shall be positioned so that they do not cause injury, suffering or distress to the animals.

1.6. Appropriate lighting shall be provided during loading and unloading.

1.7. When containers loaded with animals are placed one on top of the other on the means of transport, the necessary precautions shall be taken:

(a)

to avoid, or in the case of poultry, rabbits and fur animals, to limit urine and faeces falling on the animals placed underneath;

(b)

to ensure stability of the containers;

(c)

to ensure that ventilation is not impeded.

Handling

1.8. It shall be prohibited to:

(a)

strike or kick the animals;

(b)

apply pressure to any particularly sensitive part of the body in such a way as to cause them unnecessary pain or suffering;

(c)

suspend the animals themselves by mechanical means;

(d)

lift or drag the animals by head, ears, horns, legs, tail or fleece, or handle them in such a way as to cause them unnecessary pain or suffering;

(e)

use prods or other implements with pointed ends;

(f)

knowingly obstruct any animal which is being driven or led through any part where animals are handled.

1.9. The use of instruments which administer electric shocks shall be avoided as far as possible. In any case, these instruments shall only be used for adult bovine animals and adult pigs which refuse to move and only when they have room ahead of them in which to move. The shocks shall last no longer than one second, be adequately spaced and shall only be applied to the muscles of the hindquarters. Shocks shall not be used repeatedly if the animal fails to respond.

1.10. Markets or assembly centres shall provide equipment for tethering animals when necessary. Animals not used to being tied shall remain untied. Animals shall have access to water.

1.11. Animals shall not be tied by the horns, the antlers, the nose rings nor by legs tied together. Calves shall not be muzzled. Domestic Equidae older than eight months shall wear halters during transport except for unbroken horses.

When animals need to be tied, the ropes, tethers or other means used shall be:

(a)

strong enough not to break during normal transport conditions;

(b)

such as to allow the animals, if necessary, to lie down and to eat and drink;

(c)

designed in such a way as to eliminate any danger of strangulation or injury, and so as to allow animals to be quickly released.

Separation

1.12. Animals shall be handled and transported separately in the following cases:

(a)

animals of different species;

(b)

animals of significantly different sizes or ages;

(c)

adult breeding boars or stallions;

(d)

sexually mature males from females;

(e)

animals with horns from animals without horns;

(f)

animals hostile to each other;

(g)

tied animals from untied animals.

1.13. Points (a), (b), (c) and (e) of paragraph 1.12. shall not apply where the animals have been raised in compatible groups, are accustomed to each other, where separation will cause distress or where females are accompanied by dependent young.

2. During transport

2.1. Space allowances shall at least comply with the figures laid down, in respect of the animals and the means of transport referred to, in Chapter VII.

2.2. Domestic Equidae except mares travelling with their foals shall be transported in individual stalls when the vehicle is loaded onto a Roll-on-Roll-off vessel. Derogation to this provision may be granted under national rules provided that they are notified by the Member States to the Standing Committee on the food Chain and Animal Health.

2.3. Equidae shall not be transported in multi-deck vehicles except if animals are loaded on the lowest deck with no animals on higher deck. The minimum internal height of compartment shall be at least 75 cm higher than the height of the withers of the highest animal.

2.4. Unbroken Equidae shall not be transported in groups of more than four individuals.

2.5. Paragraphs 1.10. to 1.13. shall apply mutatis mutandis to the means of transport.

2.6. Sufficient ventilation shall be provided to ensure that the needs of the animals are fully met taking into account in particular the number and type of the animals to be transported and the expected weather conditions during the journey. Containers shall be stored in a way which does not impede their ventilation.

2.7. During transport, animals shall be offered water, feed and the opportunity to rest as appropriate to their species and age, at suitable intervals and in particular as referred to in Chapter V. If not otherwise specified, Mammals and Birds shall be fed at least every 24 hours and watered at least every 12 hours. The water and feed shall be of good quality and presented to the animals in a way which minimises contamination. Due regard shall be paid to the need of animals to become accustomed to the mode of feeding and watering.