DEFRA Animal Welfare in transport consultation
BHIC briefing on the main aspects of the current DEFRA Animal Welfare in Transport consultation - how might this effect the horse industry?
These new rules apply from January 2007 (competency certificates from January 2008)
to:
• those travelling horses as an economic activity. The definition of an economic activity is set out in full in the consultation document, and therefore, load sharing to a show or winning prizes in a gymkhana or someone competing their own horse in a point to point will not be seen as economic. DEFRA have defined economic as ‘any transport of animals undertaken as part of a business or commercial activity which aims at achieving a financial gain either directly or indirectly for any person or company involved with the transport'
The regulations do not apply to transport to and from a veterinary practice.
Registered horses (these are not all horses with a passport, these are horses and ponies defined in EU Directive 426 - these are horses which as not destined directly, or indirectly for slaughter) are exempt from journey logs, satellite navigation requirements, and journey, feed and rest times. However, transporters of registered horses still have to comply with all the other general welfare provisions.
People travelling horses as part of an economic activity more than 65km will need to have the following:
For journeys under 8 hours:
- transporter authorisation. In the consultation DEFRA are suggesting self-certification for an authorisation certificate.
- competency certificates for driver or attendant. For under 8 hours DEFRA are proposing a short theory test.
For journeys over 8 hours or abroad
- transporter authorisation
- vehicle approval (5 yr authorisation)-including compulsory temperature monitoring and ventilation systems
- competency certificates
Authorisations
There will be two authorisations - for short journeys (over 65km and under 8 hrs) and long journeys (over 8hrs) lasting for 5 years.
- short and long authorisation. - must demonstrate have sufficient staff and equipment (by a self-declaration on the application form)
- Plus long authorisation must be accompanied by a certificate of vehicle approval and after 5 Jan 2008 by a certificate of competence by driver or attendant
The full consultation document can be found on the DEFRA website at www.defra.org.uk
These new rules apply from January 2007 (competency certificates from January 2008)
to:
• those travelling more than two horses as an economic activity. The definition of an economic activity is set out in full in the consultation document, and therefore, load sharing to a show or winning prizes in a gymkhana or someone competing their own horse in a point to point will not be seen as economic. DEFRA have defined economic as ‘any transport of animals undertaken as part of a business or commercial activity which aims at achieving a financial gain either directly or indirectly for any person or company involved with the transport'
The regulations do not apply to transport to and from a veterinary practice.
Registered horses (these are not all horses with a passport, these are horses and ponies defined in EU Directive 426 - these are horses which as not destined directly, or indirectly for slaughter) are exempt from journey logs, satellite navigation requirements, and journey, feed and rest times. However, transporters of registered horses still have to comply with all the other general welfare provisions.
People travelling more than two horses as part of an economic activity more than 65km will need to have the following:
For journeys under 8 hours:
- transporter authorisation. In the consultation DEFRA are suggesting self-certification for an authorisation certificate.
- competency certificates for driver or attendant. For under 8 hours DEFRA are proposing a short theory test.
For journeys over 8 hours or abroad
- transporter authorisation
- vehicle approval (5 yr authorisation)-including compulsory temperature monitoring and ventilation systems
- competency certificates
Authorisations
There will be two authorisations - for short journeys (over 65km and under 8 hrs) and long journeys (over 8hrs) lasting for 5 years.
- short and long authorisation. - must demonstrate have sufficient staff and equipment (by a self-declaration on the application form)
- Plus long authorisation must be accompanied by a certificate of vehicle approval and after 5 Jan 2008 by a certificate of competence by driver or attendant
The full consultation document can be found on the DEFRA website at www.defra.org.uk
Click here for a response to the consultation from the British Horseracing Board
Click here for a response to the consultation from the British Equestrian Federation
May 12th, 2006
