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

Article 4(3) to (6)

SCHEDULE 1

Part I General requirements for the construction and maintenance of means of transport and receptacles for all mammals and birds

Avoidanc e of injury and suffering

1.  Means of transport, receptacles and their fittings shall be constructed, maintained and operated so as to avoid injury and unnecessary suffering and to ensure the safety of the animals during transport, loading and unloading.

Substantial construction

2.—(1) Every part or fitting of a means of transport or receptacle which may be exposed to the action of the weather or the sea shall be constructed, maintained and operated so as to withstand the action of the weather or the sea.

(2) Every part or fitting of a means of transport or receptacle that animals may be thrown against during transport shall be constructed, maintained and operated so as to withstand the weight of any animal which may be thrown against it.

Size and height

3.  The accommodation available for the carriage of animals shall be such that the animals are, unless it is unnecessary having regard to the species of animal and the nature of the journey and, unless that it would lead to risk of injury or harm, provided with adequate space to lie down.

Floors

4.  Any floor on which animals stand or walk during loading, unloading or transport shall be—

(a) sufficiently strong to bear their weight;

(b) constructed, maintained and operated to prevent slipping; and

(c) free of any protrusions, spaces or perforations which are likely to cause injury to animals.

Weather and sea conditions

5.  Means of transport and receptacles shall be constructed, maintained and operated so as to protect animals against inclement weather, adverse sea conditions and marked fluctuations in air pressure, noxious gases and excessive humidity, heat or cold.

Projections and sharp edges

6.  Means of transport and receptacles shall be free from any sharp edges and projections which are likely to cause injury or unnecessary suffering to any animal being carried.

Cleanliness

7.  Means of transport and receptacles shall be constructed, maintained and operated to allow appropriate cleaning and disinfection.

Escape-proof

8.  Means of transport and receptacles shall be escape-proof.

Noise and vibration

9.  Means of transport and receptacles shall be constructed, maintained and operated to ensure that animals are not likely to be caused injury or unnecessary suffering from undue exposure to noise or vibration.

Lighting

10.—(1) Means of transport and receptacles shall have sufficient natural or artificial lighting to enable the proper care and inspection of any animal being carried.

(2) Passageways, ramps and other loading equipment shall be provided with adequate natural or artificial lighting to enable the animals to be loaded or unloaded safely.

(3) Artificial lighting required by this paragraph may be provided using a portable light.

Electrical fittings

11.  All electrical fittings and wiring in those parts of a means of transport or receptacle to which animals have access shall be so positioned or protected as to prevent injury or suffering to any animal.

Use of partitions

12.—(1) Partitions shall be used if they are necessary—

(a) to provide adequate support for animals; or

(b) to prevent animals being thrown about during transport.

(2) When partitions are used, they shall be positioned—

(a) so as to prevent injury or unnecessary suffering to animals as a result of—

(i) overcrowding;

(ii) lack of support; or

(iii) being thrown about during transport; and

(b) so that the animals are in sufficiently small groups to allow them to be properly inspected and cared for.

Design of partitions

13.  Partitions shall be—

(a) of rigid construction;

(b) strong enough to withstand the weight of any animal which may be thrown against them;

(c) constructed and positioned so that there are no gaps which are likely to result in injury or unnecessary suffering to the animals;

(d) of a height appropriate to the species; and

(e) constructed and positioned so that they do not interfere with ventilation.

Special provisions for rail wagons

14.  Any rail wagon used in the transport of animals shall be marked with a symbol indicating the presence of live animals.

15.  Any rail wagon in which animals are carried shall be—

(a) equipped with a roof ensuring effective protection against the weather;

(b) capable of travelling at a high speed; and

(c) provided with sufficiently large air vents or a ventilation system which is effective even at low speeds.

16.  The inside walls of any rail wagon used for the carriage of animals (other than in receptacles) shall be of a suitable material, completely smooth and shall have, if necessary, means for tying the animals to the walls.

Special provisions for transport by water or air

17.  Animals being transported by water or air shall—

(a) be accommodated in suitable pens or receptacles unless they are in a vehicle or rail wagon on board a vessel or aircraft; and

(b) where necessary, be secured to protect them against injury from the motion of the vessel or aircraft.

Additional provisions for transport by water

18.  There shall be adequate passageways on a vessel providing access to all pens, receptacles, vehicles or rail wagons in which animals are accommodated.

19.  All parts of a vessel in which animals are accommodated shall be provided with adequate drainage and kept in a sanitary condition.

20.—(1) Enclosed decks in which animals are transported (whether in vehicles or otherwise) shall be provided with an adequate means of mechanical ventilation.

(2) Vehicles in which animals are being transported in an enclosed deck shall, where possible, be placed near a fresh air inlet.

(3) Where animals are transported in rail wagons on board vessels, adequate ventilation shall be provided for the animals throughout the voyage.

21.  Where animals are transported by water, there shall be provision for the isolation of ill or injured animals during the voyage and for first aid treatment to be given when necessary.

22.  Where animals are transported in vehicles on board vessels—

(a) the animals' compartment shall be properly fixed to the vehicle;

(b) the vehicle and the animals' compartment shall be equipped with tying facilities enabling them to be adequately secured to the vessel;

(c) the animals' compartment shall have a sufficient number of vents or other means of ensuring it is adequately ventilated bearing in mind that the air flow is restricted in the confined space of the vessels' vehicle deck;

(d) there shall be sufficient room inside the animals' compartment (at each of its levels) to ensure that there is adequate ventilation and sufficient air space to allow the air to circulate properly; and

(e) direct access shall be provided to each part of the animals' compartment so that the animals can, if necessary, be cared for, fed and watered during the voyage.

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.