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

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.