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

Part I Additional requirements for the construction and maintenance of means of transport and receptac les of mammals and birds not covered by Schedules 2, 3 and 4

Ventilation

1.  Means of transport and receptacles shall be constructed, maintained, operated and positioned to provide appropriate ventilation and air space.

Size and height

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

Special provisions for receptacles

3.  Receptacles in which animals are transported shall be constructed and maintained so that they allow for appropriate inspection and care of the animals.

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 the animals (other than marine mammals) are carried (other than in receptacles), with barriers 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 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;

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

(2) 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.

(3) A ramp to which this paragraph applies shall be provided with suitable side barriers where necessary.

7.  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.