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

Part I Additional requirements for the construction and maintenance of means of transport and receptacles for cattle, sheep, pigs, goats and horses

Size and height

1.—(1) The accommodation available for the carriage of animals shall be such that all animals are provided with adequate space to stand in their natural position.

(2) It shall be sufficient compliance with sub-paragraph (1) if in a vehicle, or a receptacle being transported on a vehicle, the length of the space for the carriage of animals exceeds—

(a) 2.5m where the animals being carried are calves;

(b) 3.1m where the animals being carried are sheep, swine or goats; or

(c) 3.7m where the animals being carried are horses or cattle (other than calves),

there are fitted in that vehicle or receptacle such partitions specified in sub-paragraph (3) as are necessary to form for those animals a pen or pens not exceeding in length 2.5m, 3.1m or 3.7m respectively.

(3) Where a partition in a vehicle or receptacle is used to separate animals being carried therein in accordance with sub-paragraph (2), it shall, when fitted in position, be of a height of not less than—

(a) 1.27m in the case of cattle (other than calves) and horses; and

(b) 76cm in any other case.

Ventilation

2.  Means of transport and receptacles shall be constructed, maintained, operated and positioned so as to provide appropriate ventilation and sufficient air space above the animals to allow air to circulate properly.

Inspection of interior of receptacles

3.—(1) Receptacles shall be constructed, maintained and positioned so that they allow for the inspection and care of the animals, including, if necessary, the feeding and watering of animals.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (1), receptacles carrying animals in an aircraft—

(a) in the lower deck compartment, shall be constructed, maintained and positioned so that all the animals may be inspected and, if necessary, cared for when the aircraft is on the ground; and

(b) in the main deck compartment, shall be constructed, maintained and positioned so as to provide access to every animal throughout the journey.

Special provisions for vehicles

4.  Vehicles shall be equipped with a roof which ensures effective protection against the weather.

5.  Vehicles shall be equipped, on each floor on which animals are carried (other than in receptacles), with barriers, or, in the case of a vehicle exclusively used for the transport of horses, with straps, so constructed and maintained as to prevent any animal from falling out of the vehicle when any door used for loading and unloading is not fully closed.

6.—(1) Every ramp which is carried on or forms part of a vehicle and which is used for the purpose of loading animals into or unloading animals out of that vehicle shall be fitted with suitable foot battens or some other means of affording a proper foothold to an animal which is using it and shall be constructed. maintained and operated—

(a) to prevent slipping;

(b) so that it is not too steep for the age and species of the animal being transported;

(c) so that any step at the top or bottom of the ramp is not too high for the age and species of the animal being transported; and

(d) so that any gap between the top of the ramp and the vehicle at the bottom of the ramp is not too wide for the age and species of the animal being transported.

(2) It shall be sufficient compliance with sub-paragraph (1)—

(a) where animals other than pigs are using the ramp if—

(i) the gradient thereof is not steeper than a ratio of 4 in 7 when the vehicle is on level ground;

(ii) any step at the top of the ramp does not exceed 21cm in height; and

(iii) any gap between the top of the ramp and the vehicle or at the bottom of the ramp does not exceed 6cm in width; and

(b) where pigs are using the ramp if—

(i) the gradient thereof is not steeper than a ration of 1 in 2 when the vehicle is on level ground;

(ii) any step at the top of the ramp does not exceed 13cm in height; and

(iii) any gap between the top of the ramp and the vehicle or at the bottom of the ramp does not exceed 3cm in width.

(3) In this paragraph, a ramp shall be considered too steep, a step shall be considered too high and a gap shall be considered too wide, if animals using the ramp, step or gap are likely to be caused injury or unnecessary suffering by reason of the slope of the ramp, the height of the step or the width of the gap.

7.  Vehicles (other than vehicles in which animals are being carried in receptacles) shall be constructed so that all the animals inside can be inspected from the outside, and for this purpose shall be provided with suitably arranged openings and footholds.

8.  In the case of animals which are normally required to be tied, suitable provision shall be made so that animals may be tied to the interior of the vehicle.

Approval of receptacles and pens on vessels

9.—(1) In the case of journeys beginning in Northern Ireland, receptacles or pens used on an exposed deck shall be approved by the Department before the animals are loaded.

(2) The Department shall not approve such receptacles or pens unless it is satisfied that, having regard to the weather and sea conditions likely to be encountered during the voyage, the receptacle or pen provides adequate protection against the sea and weather.