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

Part I Watering and feeding intervals, journey times and resting periods for horses (except registered horses), cattle, sheep, pigs and goats

1.  Subject to the provisions of this Schedule, journey times shall not exceed eight hours.

2.  The maximum journey time in paragraph 1 may be extended where the transporting vehicle meets the following additional requirements—

(a) there is sufficient bedding on the floor of the vehicle;

(b) it carries appropriate feed for the animal species transported and for the journey time;

(c) direct access to the animals may be gained from inside the vehicle without it having to be unloaded;

(d) there is adequate ventilation which may be adjusted depending on the temperature (inside and outside);

(e) there are movable panels for creating separate compartments;

(f) it is equipped for connection to a water supply during stops;

(g) in the case of vehicles for transporting pigs, sufficient water is carried for watering during the journey.

3.  The watering and feeding intervals, journey times and rest periods when using road vehicles which meet the requirements in paragraph 2 are as follows—

(a) unweaned calves, lambs, kids and foals which are still on a milk diet and unweaned piglets shall, after nine hours of travel, be given a rest period of at least one hour sufficient in particular for them to be given liquid and, if necessary, fed. After this rest period, they may be transported for a further nine hours;

(b) pigs may be transported for a maximum period of 24 hours. During the journey, they shall have continuous access to water;

(c) horses may be transported for a maximum period of 24 hours. During the journey they shall be given water and, if necessary, fed every eight hours;

(d) all other cattle, sheep and goats shall, after 14 hours of travel, be given a rest period of at least one hour sufficient for them in particular to be given water and, if necessary, fed. After this rest period, they may be transported for a further 14 hours.

4.  At the end of the journey time laid down, animals shall be unloaded, fed and watered and be rested for at least 24 hours.

5.  Animals shall not be transported by rail if the maximum journey time exceeds eight hours. However, the journey times laid down in paragraph 3 shall apply where the conditions laid down in paragraphs 2 and 3, except for rest periods, are met.

6.—(a) Animals shall not be transported by sea if the maximum journey time exceeds that laid down in paragraph 2, unless the conditions laid down in paragraphs 3 and 4, apart from journey times and rest periods, are met.

(b) In the case of transport by sea on a regular and direct link between two geographical points of the Community by means of vehicles loaded on to vessels without unloading of the animals, such animals shall be rested for 12 hours after unloading at the port of destination or in its immediate vicinity unless the journey time at sea is such that the voyage can be included in the conditions laid down in paragraphs 1 to 3.

7.  In the interest of the animals, the journey times in paragraphs 3 and 6(b) may be extended by two hours taking account in particular of proximity to the place of destination.