Welfare of Animals during Transport Order 1992

Article 8

SCHEDULE 1 PROVISIONS ADDITIONAL TO OTHER WELFARE LEGISLATION

General General provisions applicable to all animals

1.  Animals in transport shall be provided with sufficient room to lie down, unless that would lead to a risk of injury or harm.

2.  Solipeds shall wear halters, except in the case of unbroken foals or animals transported in individual boxes.

3.  Tethers shall be of a kind such as to eliminate any danger of strangulation or injury.

4.  Animals shall not be tied by a nose ring.

5.  Solipeds shall not be transported in vehicles with more than one deck.

6.  Animals of different species shall be segregated in transport, except where that would cause distress in a companion animal.

7.  Stallions shall not be transported in the same vehicle or vessel or aircraft as other stallions unless they are used to each other.

8.  Animals shall not be suspended by mechanical means, nor lifted nor dragged by the head, horns, legs, tail or fleece.

9.  The use of electric prods shall be avoided as far as possible.

10.  The floor of the means of transport shall be covered with sufficient litter to absorb droppings unless droppings are regularly removed.

11.  Consignments of livestock shall be accompanied by an attendant except—

(a) where animals are transported in containers which are secured, adequately ventilated and, where necessary, contain enough food and water in dispensers which cannot be tipped over, for a journey of twice the anticipated time; or

(b) where the consignor has appointed an agent to care for the animals at appropriate staging points.

12.  Animals in milk shall, where necessary, be milked and in the case of cows they shall be milked at intervals of about 12 hours and not more than 15 hours.

13.  Animals shall be loaded only into means of transport which have been thoroughly cleaned and, where appropriate, disinfected. Dead animals, litter and droppings shall be removed as soon as possible.

14.  Animals travelling by rail shall be transported in covered trucks fitted with rings or bars, at a suitable height, to which the animals may be attached if necessary.

15.  Solipeds travelling by rail shall be secured in such a way that they are all facing the same way, except when travelling in individual boxes.

16.  Road vehicles in which animals are transported shall be equipped with weather proof roofs.

17.  Animals transported by sea shall be tethered or suitably accommodated in pens or containers.

18.  Where animals are transported by sea, there shall be provision for isolation of ill or injured animals during the voyage and for first aid treatment to be given.

19.  Where animals are transported in road vehicles on board ship—

(a) the animals' compartment shall be properly fixed to the vehicle; the vehicle and the animals' compartment shall be equipped with adequate tying facilities enabling them to be secured fast to the ship. On a covered deck of a roll-on/roll-off vessel, sufficient ventilation for the number of vehicles transported must be maintained. Where possible, a vehicle for the transport of animals should be placed near a fresh air inlet;

(b) the animals' compartment shall have a sufficient number of vents or other means of ensuring that it is adequately ventilated bearing in mind that the air flow is restricted in the confined space of the ship’s vehicle hold. There must be sufficient room inside the animals' compartment and at each of its levels to ensure that there is adequate ventilation above the animals where they are in a naturally standing position;

(c) direct access must be provided to each part of the animals' compartment so that the animals can, if necessary, be cared for, fed and watered during the voyage.

20.  In the case of animals transported by air, every freight aircraft must carry an appropriate instrument for humane slaughter.

Poultry and rabbits

21.  In the case of poultry (as defined in article 4(4)) and rabbits, their accommodation shall be drained and kept in a sanitary condition.

Domestic dogs and domestic cats

22.  In the case of domestic dogs and domestic cats

(a) when transported by sea, animals shall be provided with accommodation which has drainage and is kept in a sanitary condition;

(b) in any form of transport, females in oestrus shall be separated from males.

Other animals

23.  In the case of animals other than domestic solipeds, bovines, ovines, caprines, porcines, poultry (as defined in article 4(4)), rabbits, dogs and cats—

(a) when transported by road, tying facilities shall be provided in vehicles which are used in the transport of such animals which are normally required to be tied. Partitions, if supplied, shall be of rigid construction;

(b) suitable equipment for loading and unloading of such mammals and birds (such as bridges, ramps or gangways) shall be used. The flooring of this equipment shall be constructed so as to prevent slipping and the equipment shall be provided with lateral protection if necessary. During transport the animal shall not be suspended by mechanical means nor lifted or dragged by the head, horns, legs, tail, wing or feathers;

(c) when transported by sea, all parts of the animal’s accommodation shall be provided with drainage and shall be kept in a sanitary condition;

(d) infants incapable of feeding themselves and which are not accompanied by the mother shall not be transported;

(e) sedation shall be administered only exceptionally and under the direct supervision of a veterinary surgeon. Written details of such sedation shall accompany the animal to its destination;

(f) where the means of transport or container contains animals which are wild, timid or dangerous, a notice to that effect shall be fixed to it;

(g) written instructions as to feeding and watering and any special care required shall accompany the animals;

(h) such animals shall be held for an appropriate period prior to transport to condition them to the experience. During that period they shall, if necessary, be moved gradually into their container;

(i) birds shall be kept in semi-darkness;

(j) animals of different species shall not be placed in the same container;

(k) animals of the same species shall not be placed in the same container unless they are known to be compatible with each other;

(l) marine mammals shall have a qualified attendant with them at all times;

(m) the containers within which marine mammals are transported shall not be stacked;

(n) such mammals and birds shall not be housed near foodstuffs nor in places to which the general public has access.