Movement of Animals

Protection of animals during transport

EU Council Regulation No. 1 of 2005 on the protection of animals during transport and related operations prescribe strict standards for animal handling and the state of the vehicle and hygiene and, on long journeys, standards for feeding, watering, resting periods, journey times and stocking densities during transportation. The Regulation came into effect on 5 January 2007 and has been given legal effect in Ireland by the European Communities (Animal Transport and Control Post) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 675 of 2006).

The Council Regulation applies to the transport of live animals, including cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, poultry, equines and dogs taking place in connection with an economic activity and sets out conditions as:
• On animal welfare, mode of transport and loading facilities to be met by all transporters of animals irrespective of distance travelled;
• Training and authorisation of person who transports live animals over a distance in excess of 65km for commercial purposes;
• Operators of assembly centres must ensure that animals are treated in accordance with the technical rules of the Regulation;
• Inspection of vehicles and maintenance of records of persons who transport animals on long journeys (defined as over eight hours). Such vehicles must have satellite based navigation systems installed within deadlines laid down in the Regulation.

This Department has undertaken to increase awareness of the legal requirements of those in charge of animals during transport. In this regard the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has produced posters and information leaflets on the transport of equines and livestock. A booklet on the best practice for the welfare of animals during transport is also available to download from the Farm Animal Welfare Advisory Council (www.FAWAC.ie). Organisations, operators of assembly centres and livestock marts, hauliers and international transporters have also been contacted and informed of the requirements of the regulation.

Vehicles approved by the Department for long journeys (over 8 hours) have to be of a high standard and undergo inspection.
For further information on Council Regulation (EC) No. 1/2005 on the protection of animals during transport and related operations and how to apply for a transport authorisation, please contact Animal Health & Welfare Division at the contact details below or alternatively log on to the Department’s website www.agriculture.gov.ie/animaltransport.

Transit of Animals Implementation

Orders may be made in relation to the movement and transit of diseased animals and poultry.  Regulations may prohibit or regulate the sending and carrying of such animals in vehicles on highways and public transport,  vessels, aircraft, inland navigation etc.  They may prohibit a range of matters such as leading or driving diseased or suspected animals through highways or the public thoroughfares on unenclosed lands or places that are insufficiently fenced in fairs, markets or other public or private places where animals are exposed for sale.

They may make provisions for animals and poultry while in transit to markets, fairs, in transit by land or water, being kept in common or on enclosed land, kept in a slaughterhouse or kept with a view to slaughter or generally anywhere not occupied by their owner.

The Minister may make regulations prohibiting, regulating or restricting movement save under licence of animals, carcasses, fodder, litter, dung, eggs and other things.  He may prohibit and regulate the holding of markets, fairs and exhibitions for the sale of animals and poultry and the exposure of animals for sale.

Orders may be made for protecting animals and poultry carried by sea and air from unnecessary suffering. They may prescribe the proper supply of food, water and ventilation during transportation.  They may prescribe and regulate the construction and fittings of parts of vehicles.

Vehicles etc

Regulations may prescribe the construction, dimensions and fittings of vehicles aircraft etc. for the conveyance of animals.  They may specify dimensions and fittings for all such places.

They may prohibit the use conditionally or absolutely,  the carrying of animals or poultry for any purpose of any vessel, vehicle, aircraft, pen or other places where a penalty has been imposed in respect thereof.  It may require the furnishing of information in relation to animals or poultry which die or are injured in transit or at places where animals are bought and sold or assembled or waiting for transport, shipment exhibition or slaughter.

They may prohibit the conveyance of animals or poultry in particular vessels or in aircraft as might be prescribed.  They may prescribe and regulate notices to be given of proposed exports of animals.  They may prescribe and regulate conditions in relation to the detention, arresting and inspection of animals prior to export.  They may prohibit except under licence the export of animals and poultry.

Markets and Fairs

He may prescribe regulations for the cleaning and disinfecting place used for holding fairs, markets and exhibitions or for the sale of animals.  They may prescribe the cleansing and disinfection of vehicles, aircraft, places, pens etc., They may prescribe records to be kept in connection with purchases and sales.

For the purpose of preventing the spreading of disease, the Minister may generally regulate the transport of animals and poultry and the conditions under which they are supposed to be kept and handled at fairs markets railway stations and other places where they are assembled.

Regulations may regulate the provision of food and water at such places. They may prescribe the period during which the food and water is to be supplied.

Imports

The Minister may make orders requiring the importation of animals and poultry to take place under licence.  They may regulate the importation and landing of animals at ports and aerodromes. They may also apply to eggs, animals products, fodder, litter dung and other things generally specified.  Different regulations may be made for different parts of the country. Provision may be made for animal and poultry quarantine on import.

Where animals are imported or landed in breach of orders made or persons failed to comply with requisitions or under the legislation, they are guilty of an offence and the relevant animals or poultry may be slaughtered or destroyed unless otherwise directed.

Regulations may be made in relation to imported animals, poultry, carcasses, fodder dung, and litter and other things.  They may prescribe and regulate their movements. They may require detention and isolation of animals, poultry and things on particular premises or parts of premises.  They may prescribe and regulate slaughter and disposal of animals illegally imported.

It may prescribe carcasses, eggs, fodder, litter and dung under licence may be destroyed and disposed of.  It may prescribe tests for disease on any animal or bird imported.  It may make provision for supervision for control of animals and eggs in the course of conveyance to a quarantine station and the prohibition of movement in and out of the State.

The ports,  aerodromes and landing places at which animals may be imported may be prescribed.  Limits of landing places and parts of the ports which may be used for such purposes may be prescribed.