Welfare of Animals (Transport) Order (Northern Ireland) 1997

Part II General provisions for the transport of all mammals and birds

Jolting

23.  Animals shall not be transported in such a way that they are severely jolted or shaken.

Loading and unloading

24.  Animals shall be loaded and unloaded in such a way as to ensure that they are not caused injury or unnecessary suffering by reason of—

(a) the excessive use of anything used for driving animals;

(b) contact with any part of the means of transport or receptacle or with any other obstruction.

Emergency unloading equipment

25.  Unless an animal can be loaded and unloaded in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 10(7) or (8) of Part II of Schedule 2, a vehicle shall, at all times, carry the means to enable the animals to be unloaded without causing them injury or unnecessary suffering at a place where there is no other unloading equipment.

Segregation of animals and goods

26.—(1) Goods which are being transported in the same means of transport as animals shall be positioned so that they do not cause injury or unnecessary suffering to the animals and in particular, goods which could prejudice the welfare of animals shall not be carried in pens or receptacles in which animals are transported.

(2) A carcase shall not be carried in the same vehicle, receptacle, rail wagon or pen as an animal, other than the carcase of an animal which dies in the course of a journey.

Disposal of waste

27.  Dead animals, soiled litter and droppings shall be removed from a means of transport or receptacle as soon as possible.

Litter

28.—(1) Floors on which animals are transported shall be covered with sufficient litter to absorb urine and droppings unless equally effective alternative arrangements are in place or unless urine and droppings are regularly removed.

(2) If a receptacle in which animals are transported is placed on top of another receptacle containing animals, precautions shall be taken to prevent urine or droppings from falling on to the animals in the lower receptacle.

Labelling of receptacles

29.  Receptacles in which animals are transported shall—

(a) be marked or labelled so as to indicate that they contain live animals and the species of those animals;

(b) be marked with a sign indicating the receptacle’s upright position; and

(c) be kept in an upright position.

Securing of receptacles

30.  Receptacles in which animals are transported shall be secured so as to prevent their displacement during transport.

Humane slaughter on vessels and aircraft

31.  Vessels and aircraft on which animals are transported shall carry appropriate means for effecting, where necessary, the humane slaughter of the species of animal being transported.

Attendants

32.—(1) In order to ensure the necessary care of the animals during transport, consignments of animals shall be accompanied by a sufficient number of attendants, taking into account the number of animals transported and the duration of the journey.

(2) At least one attendant shall accompany the animals except in the following cases where—

(a) animals are transported in receptacles 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;

(b) the transporter performs the function of attendant; or

(c) the consignor has appointed an agent to care for the animals at appropriate stopping or transfer points.