Welfare of Animals during Transport Order 1992

Feeding and watering intervals

4.—(1) Subject to paragraphs (2), (3) and (4) below, it shall be the duty of any person in charge of an animal which is being transported on a vessel, aircraft, railway or vehicle to ensure that—

(a) as suitable to its species, it has been provided with water and appropriate food before the start of any journey, and

(b) at suitable intervals during the journey, it is provided with water, food and rest.

(2) In respect of bovine, ovine, caprine, porcine and equine animals the interval between the occasions when rest, food and water are provided in accordance with paragraph (1)(b) above shall not exceed 15 hours.

(3) In respect of domestic dogs and cats—

(a) the interval between the occasions when food is provided in accordance with paragraph (1)(b) above shall not exceed 24 hours and the interval between the occasions when water is so provided shall not exceed 12 hours, and

(b) clear, written instructions must be given to the persons responsible for feeding and watering them.

(4) The provisions of paragraph (1) above shall not apply in the cases of

(a) poultry and rabbits if their transport is completed within 12 hours (disregarding the time taken in loading and unloading), and

(b) poultry chicks, if their transport is completed within 72 hours of their being hatched and lasts less than 24 hours.

In this paragraph and in article 6(2)(b) “poultry” means live birds of the following species, that is to say, domestic fowls, turkeys, geese, ducks, guinea-fowls, pheasants, partridges and quails.