Animal transport
What will change with the new Regulation? |
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Travelling times reducing stress for animals on the road |
Today long-distance:
Very young animals (still drinking milk): 9 hours + 1 hour rest (watering) + 9 hours
Pigs: 24 hours (permanent access to water)
Horses: 24 hours with watering every 8 hours
Cattle, sheep and goats: 14 hours +1 hour rest (watering) + 14 hours.
The above sequences may be repeated if animals are unloaded, fed, watered and rested for at least 24 hours in an approved staging point. |
In future - long distance:
All species: maximum 9 hours travelling + minimum 12 hours rest. The sequence may be repeated.
No staging point is required. Animals rest within the vehicle. |
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Youngest and pregnant animals shall not travel |
Today:
Prohibition for newborn animals in which the navel has not completely healed. No specifications for the different species. |
In future:
Ban of travelling above 100 km with young animals (pigs less than 4 weeks / lambs less than one week / calves less than 2 weeks / horses less than 4 months (for long-distance only)).
Ban on females travelling one week after birth and before giving birth (10% of the estimated time of the gestation) |
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Improved equipment for improved conditions |
Today - long-distance:
Partition of the compartment, access to animals, but no additional space for long distance journeys. |
In future - long-distance:
Specific temperature according to species (with temperature monitoring system, recording data, driver cabin with alert system)
Permanent access to drinking water
More space according to species and length of journey e.g. 40% more for pigs, 16% more for cattle, 32% more for sheep-
Prohibition on tying animals (animals can move around or lay down, precise space definitions allows better enforcement)
Better conditions on sea vessels (e.g. inclination of ramps, drinking equipment, approval system). |
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Conditions for horses improved |
Today:
Minimum space allowances. |
In future:
Larger space allowances for short distance journeys
Individual stalls/boxes for long distance journeys
Permanent access to hay. |
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Regulation instead of Directive better enforcement tool |
Today:
Directive (some national interpretation possible). |
In future:
Regulation (ensuring harmonisation in all Member States). |
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What is long distance transport? |
Today:
Longer than 8h with upgraded trucks. |
In future:
9 hours (based on drivers' social legislation, therefore easily enforceable). Driver has to stop for 12 hours after 9 hours driving. Length of journey defined as the entire transport operation from start to final destination, including intermediate points. |
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Who is responsible? |
Today:
Transport operator and transporters (companies). |
In future:
As above, but also traders (organisers) and drivers, as well as "keepers" (staff at assembly centres, markets and slaughterhouses as well as farmers). |
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Ensuring better enforcement |
Today:
Enforcement via Route Plan (but Route Plans are only mandatory if a border is crossed and the journey is longer than 8 hours). |
In future:
Enforcement via Journey Log when above 9 hours; not only when border crossed. Signatures of all involved, report at end of transport
Via tachograph efficient tool; not possible to alter data
A person has to be made responsible for entire transport. |
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More personal responsibility in case of infringements |
Today:
Suspend/withdraw approval of transporter, etc |
In future:
Additional checks in case of infringements
Also suspension / withdrawal of driver training certificate and the authorisation of the means of transport
Prohibited transit onto the territory of a Member State
Training requirements are demanded for the people responsible for the welfare of the animals. |
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Authorisation: improved standards to facilitate enforcement |
Today:
Authorisation via registration of transporter. |
In future:
Reinforced registration rules, harmonised registration format (European database)
Requirements on traceability and emergency plans for transporter
Obligation for transporters to carry a copy of the authorisation
5 year time limit on approval of vehicles for long distance journeys (9 hours); also for sea vessels (sea vessels also require specific equipment)
Compulsory approved training for drivers and animal handlers at livestock markets. |
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New responsibilities at interim stops (assembly centres, markets, etc) |
Today:
No responsibilities for market places / assembly centres / harbours. |
In future:
Clear responsibility to check and implement animal welfare rules by the "keeper" (a newly introduced term). Operators of assembly centres have to ensure personnel is trained. |
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Post-journey follow-up: an important part of enforcement |
Today:
Route plan is checked (only if + 8 hours and crossing border)
Limited information. |
In future:
Comprehensive journey log for long-distance/9 hours (e.g. place of destination has to perform checks and report status of animals, including number of animals arriving dead or unfit). |
La Commissione Europea ha adottato oggi una proposta di regolamento sul trasporto degli animali che prevede la precisa definizione delle modalità e delle responsabilità di questo tipo di trasporti. La proposta comprende norme più restrittive per i viaggi della durata di oltre nove ore, inclusi i trasporti nazionali, norme ispirate ad altre normative comunitarie che regolano la durata del tempo di guida degli autotrasportatori.
- Via Raffaele Paolucci 17r/19r - 16129 Genova - ITALIA
