The Welfare of Animals during Transport Order 1994

Journey plans

7.—(1) This article shall apply—

(a) in the case of bovine, ovine, caprine, porcine or equine animals, if the journey is likely to exceed 15 hours, and

(b) in the case of any other animal, if the journey is likely to exceed 24 hours.

(2) The person in charge of any animal transport undertaking which transports animals in the course of a business or trade shall draw up a journey plan, in such form as the Minister may from time to time require, containing the information set out in Schedule 1 to this Order and signed by him or on his behalf, showing—

(a) the arrangements, appropriate to their species, for the animals to be rested, fed and watered;

(b) if necessary, the arrangements for the animals to be unloaded and given accommodation suitable to their species; and

(c) the arrangements for feeding and watering in the event that the planned journey is changed or disrupted.

(3) The person in charge of the transport undertaking shall—

(a) ensure that during the journey the consignment is accompanied by the journey plan;

(b) take all reasonable steps to ensure that the journey plan is adhered to; and

(c) take all reasonable steps to ensure that the operator of any resting place specified in the journey plan signs the journey plan to confirm that the animals were rested there in accordance with the journey plan.

(4) When the journey is completed, the person who drew up the journey plan shall certify in writing on the journey plan that the journey plan was adhered to during the journey, or, if it was not adhered to, shall certify on the journey plan the extent to which it was adhered to together with full details of any material differences between the journey which took place and the journey plan, and send it within 15 days of completion of the journey to the Divisional Veterinary Officer for the area in which the journey began.

(5) The journey plan shall specify the address of each place at which the animals are to be rested, and the person in charge of the transport undertaking shall ensure that transport of the animals is not begun unless reservations have been made at all resting places specified in the journey plan, and that he has received confirmation of the reservations in writing.

(6) The person in charge of the transport undertaking shall ensure that a copy of the journey plan is kept for a period of six months from the end of the journey, and shall produce it at the request of an inspector and allow copies to be taken.

(7) In the case of a limited company, the journey plan shall be signed by a director of that company or a person within the company nominated by him in writing to act on behalf of the company, and in the case of a partnership shall be signed by one of the partners.

(8) Any person making a false certification under this article shall be guilty of an offence against the Act.