Animal Welfare During Land Transportation

8/8/2019 Animal Welfare During Land Transportation

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This booklet outlines the World Organisation for Animal Health’s (OIE’s)international guidelines on land transportation of animals. It will be valuablefor farmers, market managers, hauliers, truck drivers, slaughterhouse staff,government officials and all persons involved in the transport of animals by land.

ANIMAL WELFARE DURINGLAND TRANSPORTATION:A BRIEF GUIDE



About Compassion in World Farming www.ciwf.orgCompassion in World Farming (CIWF) was established in 1967 by dairy farmerPeter Roberts.

CIWF’s vision is a world where farm animals are treated with compassion and respect andwhere cruel factory farming practices end. Our mission is to advance the well being offarm animals worldwide.

The basis of CIWF’s work is the recognition of farm animals as sentient beings: animalswho are capable of feeling pain and suffering, experiencing sensations and emotions.When farming practices provide them with the right environment and conditions, they

can enjoy their lives.We work to raise awareness of the detrimental impact of intensive animal farmingon the environment, on human health and food security, and on scarce natural resources.

CIWF is an international organisation with offices in France and Holland andrepresentatives in seven more countries, including South Africa and Australia. CIWF alsocoordinates the European Coalition for Farm Animals (ECFA), a campaigning and lobbyinggroup of 31 organisations in 25 European countries and Israel. CIWF works with animalwelfare contact organisations in 89 countries.

The OIE’s Animal Welfare Guidelines www.oie.intThe World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) was created in 1924 and, as of 2005,consisted of 167 member countries. The OIE aims to improve the health and the welfareof animals all over the world, regardless of the cultural practices or the economicsituations in member countries. The organisation's decisions are science-based.

The OIE’s 167 member countries unanimously voted to adopt the first ever global AnimalWelfare Guidelines in May 2005. Four sets of Guidelines were agreed on the issues of landand sea transportation, slaughter of animals for human consumption and emergency

killing for disease control.These standards are designed to provide a guide to all people involved in these areas ofanimal use, to help staff take responsibility for animal welfare and maintain good welfarestandards of the animals in their care.

This booklet has been produced by CIWF to outline the new standards on landtransportation of animals. It aims to provide an easy-to-read resource, so the actualwording of the OIE Guidelines has been slightly adapted in places.

The full OIE Guidelines can be found at:

www.oie.int/eng/normes/mcode/en_titre_3.7.htm



04 Animals covered by these guidelines

05 Who is responsible for the welfare of transported animals?

06 Competences: skills, experience and training needed totransport animals

06 Planning for a journey

07 Animal welfare before the journey begins

08 Animal welfare during loading

08 Animal welfare during the journey

14 Unloading and handling animals after the journey

15Management of disputes about fitness of animals to enter aregion or country

Contents

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Animals covered by the guidelines

These guidelines apply to live domesticated (farmed) animals: cattle,buffalo, camels, sheep, goats, pigs, poultry and equines (e.g.: horses).They will also apply to some other animals (e.g.: deer, other camelidspecies). Wild and feral animals may need different conditions.

Responsibilities for animal welfare during land transportOwners and managers of animals are responsible for:• the health of the animals, deciding whether they are fit to travel, for

animals’ welfare during the journey - even if these jobs are done by otherpeople on their behalf

• complying with veterinary or other certification

• the presence during the journey of at least one animal handler who is‘competent’ (who has the skills, experience and/or training) to work withthe species of animals being transported and who has the authority to takefast action if there are problems

• responsible for making sure appropriate equipment and veterinaryassistance are provided for the species and journey.

Business agents or buying/selling agents share the responsibility with:• owners for ensuring that animals are fit to travel

• market owners and managers of facilities at the start and at the end of the journey to ensure facilities for the assembly, loading, transport, unloadingand holding of animals and for emergencies are available.

Animal handlers are responsible for:• the humane handling and care of the animals, especially during loading

and unloading

• maintaining a journey log.

In the absence of a separate animal handler, the driver is the animalhandler.

“The welfare of animals during transport is

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Transport companies & vehicle ownersare responsible for planning the journeyto ensure the care of the animals,including:

• choosing appropriate vehicles• providing properly trained staff for

loading and animal care• developing and keeping up-to-date

contingency plans for emergencies• planning ahead to minimise animal

stress during transport• producing a journey plan which

includes a loading plan, journeyduration and location of resting places.

Drivers are responsible for:• loading only animals which are fit

to travel

• correct loading of animals into thevehicle and inspection during the

journey• appropriate responses to problems

arising during the journey.

Managers of facilities (where animalsare held at the start and at the end ofthe journey and at resting points) areresponsible for:• providing suitable premises for

loading, unloading and securelyholding the animals

• providing water and feed until animalsare moved on or slaughtered

• providing competent animal handlersto load, unload, drive and hold animalsin a way that causes animals minimumstress and injury

• minimising the opportunities fordisease transmission

• providing facilities and equipment foremergencies, including humane killingif needed

• providing facilities for washing anddisinfecting vehicles after unloading

• ensuring facilities allow properrest times and minimal delayduring stops.

Competent authorities, such asgovernment departments, are likelyto require:• minimum standards for animal

welfare, including inspection ofanimals, certification and recordkeeping

• approval of premises, facilities,containers and vehicles for animaltransport

• standards for the competence ofdrivers, animal handlers and managers

• accreditation and training of drivers,animal handlers and managers

• monitoring and evaluating theeffectiveness of health and welfarestandards, including use ofveterinary products.

he responsibility of all people involved.”

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06

Competences

Skills, experience and trainingneeded to transportanimals.

All people responsible for careand handling of animals,including veterinarians, should

be competent to do so.They can gain their skills throughexperience or training. They shouldhave a current certificate to provetheir competence, from anindependent organisation onbehalf of the government orauthority responsible for overseeinganimal transport.

Assessment of competence ofanimal handlers should at aminimum address their knowledge,and ability to apply thatknowledge, of:

• planning a journey, includingspace allowance, feed, water andventilation requirements

• responsibilities for animals during

the journey, including loading andunloading

• how to get advice and assistanceon animal behaviour and signs ofdisease

• how to recognise poor animalwelfare such as stress, painand fatigue

• how to prevent and deal with

poor animal welfare• relevant authorities, applicable

transport regulations anddocumentation requirements

• general disease preventionprocedures, including cleaning

• methods of driving

• methods of inspecting animals

• management of situations likelyto be encountered duringtransport, such as bad weatherconditions and dealing withemergencies

• animal handling and care,including feeding, watering andinspection for whichever animalspecies they will transport

• maintaining a journey log andother records.

Planning the journey

Adequate planning is an importantfactor affecting the welfare ofanimals during a journey.

Before the journey starts , plansshould be made for:

• preparing animals for the journey

• choice of transport method e.g.:road or rail

• type and duration of the journey

• vehicle / container design andmaintenance

• documentation that will be required

• space allowance of animals

• rest, water and feed at the start,during, at the end of the journeyand during rest stops

• observation of animals whiletravelling

• control of disease

• emergency response procedures.



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Some examples of things toconsider in preparation of animalsfor the journey:

• animals need time to get used toany new diet or method offeeding/watering

• animals need experience of humansand the handling conditions

(including methods of restraint)that they will experience on the

journey before they aretransported, to reduce their fearand make them easier to handle

• drugs (such as tranquillizers) shouldnot be used routinely duringtransport and if used in an emergencyshould be given only by a veterinarianor someone who has been instructedto use them by a veterinarian.

The maximum duration of a journey will depend on:

• the ability of the animals to copewith the stress of transport(transport may be much morestressful for very young, old,lactating or pregnant animals)

• the animals’ previous transportexperience

• whether animals are fatigued• the need for special attention to all

or some animals

• the need for feed and water• any increased chance of injury

or disease

• space allowance, vehicle design,road conditions and driving qualityon that particular journeybeing planned

• weather conditions.

Vehicle and container design andmaintenance should ensure:

• they are designed, constructed andfitted for the species, size andweight of the animals

• they have secure smooth fittingswith no sharp protrusions toprevent injury

• injury to drivers and animalhandlers are minimised

• protection from bad weather

• they prevent animals escaping

• cleaning and disinfection canbe done and the containmentof faeces and urine during a

journey to prevent spreadof disease

• they are maintained in goodmechanical and structuralcondition

• adequate ventilation for theanimals to maintain a normaltemperature and not overheat,even when the vehicle isstanding still

• faeces or urine from animals onupper levels do not soil animalson lower levels, nor their feedand water

• if vehicles are carried on ships,they should be secured properlyto the ship

• adequate feeding or wateringresources and equipment

• floors are designed/ beddingis provided to prevent slippingand protect animals (especiallyyoung animals) from hardflooring.



There are special provisions fortransport in vehicles (road andrail) on roll-on/roll-off vessels orfor containers – consult the OIEGuidelines for details.

Space Allowance

Before the journey, the number of

animals in each section of thevehicle and on the whole vehicle,should be agreed.

• The space needed depends onwhether the animals need to liedown (e.g.: pigs, camels andpoultry), or to stand (e.g.: horses).Animals which normally lie downwill often stand when first loaded

or when the vehicle is drivenwith too much sidewaysmovement or sudden braking.Animals should all be able liein a normal, comfortable position.When standing, they shouldhave enough space to balanceproperly

• The amount of headroom neededdepends on the species ofanimal. Animals should haveroom to stand in their naturalposition without touchingthe roof or upper deck ofthe vehicle

• Calculations according tothe space allowance permittedfor each animal should usethe guidance in the OIE

standards• Other factors like vehicle design

and journey length will influencespace needs.

Rest, water and feed

Planning should include suitablewater and feed for during the

journey, including rest stops.

Feed must be suitable for the age,condition of the animals,temperature, etc.

Animals should be rested atappropriate intervals during the

journey. The type of transport andspecies being transported willinfluence the frequency of reststops and whether the animalsare unloaded.

Observing animals during the journey

Animals should be positioned toenable each individual animal tobe observed regularly during the

journey to ensure their safety andgood welfare. If the animals are incrates or on multi-tiered vehicleswhich do not allow free access forobservation, for example where theroof of the tier is too low (e.g.:less than 1.3m), animals cannotbe inspected adequately andserious injury or disease couldgo undetected. In this case, ashorter journey duration shouldbe allowed.

Control of disease

Animal transport is often asignificant factor in the spread ofinfectious diseases, so journeyplanning should take this intoconsideration. Mixing of animals08



from different sources in a singleconsignment should be minimised.

Contact at resting points betweenanimals from different sourcesshould be avoided. When possible,animals should be vaccinatedagainst diseases to which theyare likely to be exposed. Medicationshould only be administered bya veterinarian or a person whohas been instructed in their useby a veterinarian.

Emergency response procedures

Contingency plans to deal withemergencies should be prepared inadvance. Extreme weatherconditions are hazardous andvehicles should be designed tominimise these risks. Specialprecautions should be taken foranimals that are not used to hotor cold conditions. In extreme heator cold, animals should not betransported at all. Transport atnight may sometimes reduceheat stress.

Preparing documentation

Animals should not be loadeduntil all the required documentationis complete.

The documentation should include:• journey travel plan

• date, time, and place of loading

and unloading• veterinary certification when

required

• drivers’ and handlers’ competencies

• identities of the animalstransported to allow traceback ofindividual animals to where theybegan the journey

• details of any animals considered‘at risk’ (see OIE Guidelines formore information)

• details of the period of rest andaccess to feed and water prior tothe journey

• stocking density estimate for eachpart of the vehicle

• the journey log – this is a dailyrecord of inspection andimportant events, veterinaryrecords including sickness and

deaths, weather and temperature,rest stops, travel time anddistance, feed and water offeredand estimates of consumption,medication provided andmechanical problems forthe vehicle

If veterinary certification mustaccompany consignments ofanimals, it should include:

• animal identification(description,number, etc.)

• health status including test,treatment and vaccination status

• when required, details ofdisinfection carried out. Whenthe veterinarian provides thecertificate, he/she should informthe animal handler of any factorsaffecting the animals’ fitness totravel for a particular journey.

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Animal welfare before the journey begins

Before the journey, animalsshould rest if their welfare hasbecome poor.

Animals suspected of being ill ordiseased should be inspected by a

veterinarian. Feed and water shouldbe given before the journey if the journey will last longer than thenormal period of time betweenfeeds/watering. The OIE providesguidelines for these times fordifferent species in its standards.

Animals need time to adapt to anew diet or method of providing

feed or water.

Before each journey, vehicles andcontainers should be thoroughlycleaned. If cleaning is necessaryduring a journey, this should bedone in a way that does not stressthe animals.

Selection of compatible groups

Animals reared together should betransported together, as shouldanimals with a strong social bond.Where animals might be aggressive,they should not be mixed together.

The OIE has recommendations forparticular species in its Guidelines.

Young or small animals should beseparated from older or larger

animals (although mothers andtheir offspring should be

transported together). Animals withhorns or antlers should not bemixed with animals lacking horns orantlers. Animals of different speciesshould not be mixed unless they areknown to be compatible.

Shelter in the animal area

Assembly/holding areas shouldprevent animals escaping; keepthem safe from injury, predatorsand disease; protect them from theeffects of the weather; allow forrest, water and feeding; keep themin their social groups.

Effect of travel experience

Previous transport experience,training and conditioning mayreduce fear and stress in animals.Animals that have experience ofgood welfare in transport andwhich are carefully transported mayshow less adverse responses such asstress or fear. Use of familiarpersonnel with good animal

handling skills can reduce thefearfulness of animals and improveanimal handling.

Fitness to travel

Each animal should be inspected bya veterinarian or an animal handlerto assess their fitness to travel.

Animals found unfit to travel

should not be loaded onto avehicle, except for transport to

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receive veterinary treatment.Humane arrangements should bemade by the owner or agent for thehandling and care of any animalrejected as unfit. Risks duringtransport can be reduced byselecting animals suited to theconditions of travel and used toexpected weather conditions.

Animals that are unfit to travelinclude:

• those that are sick, injured, weak,disabled or fatigued

• those that are unable to standunaided and put weight oneach leg

• those that are blind in both eyes• those that cannot be moved

without causing them additionalsuffering

• pregnant animals who are likelyto give birth during the journey

• those whose body conditionwould result in poor welfarebecause of the expected climateand weather conditions.

Animals ‘at risk’ require specialconditions (such as in the design offacilities and vehicles and thelength of the journey) andadditional attention duringtransport. These may include:

• large or obese animals

• very young or old animals• excitable or aggressive animals

• animals which have had littlecontact with humans

• animal subject to motionsickness

• females in late pregnancy orheavy lactation, mother andoffspring

• those with a history of exposureto stressors or pathogenic agentsprior to transport.

Transport procedures should beable to deal with variations in thebehaviour of the species beinghandled. What works for onespecies may be dangerous foranother. See below and the OIEGuidelines for recommendations

for particular species.

Welfare during loadingLoading has been shown tobe the procedure most likely tobe the cause of poor welfare intransported animals, themethods to be used shouldbe carefully planned.

Experienced supervision

Loading should be supervisedby experienced animalhandlers. Animals should beloaded quietly and withoutunnecessary noise, harassmentor force. Untrained assistants orspectators should not beallowed to get in the way

of organised loading activities.



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Facilities: where animals areloaded

The collecting area, walkways andloading ramps should be designedand constructed to take intoaccount the needs and abilities ofthe animals. Issues include:

• the size and shape of the facilities

• the angle and shape of slopesand ramps

• the types of surface (e.g.: toprevent slipping, falling or otherinjuries)

• absence of sharp objects

• lighting, to allow the animals tobe observed and to allow theanimals’ ease of movement

• uniform lighting directly overapproaches to sorting pens,loading ramps (brighter lightinginside vehicles / containers canminimise baulking; dim lightingmay be better for catching ofpoultry and some other animals)

• ventilation, which should providefresh air, the removal of excessiveheat, humidity and noxious fumes(such as ammonia and carbonmonoxide) and the prevention ofaccumulations of ammonia andcarbon dioxide.

Goads and other ‘aids’ forloading animals

Animals which have little or no

room to move s hould not besubjected to physical force orgoads and other aids which forcethem to move.

Useful and permitted aids includepanels, flags, plastic paddles,flappers (a length of cane with ashort strap of leather or canvasattached), plastic bags andmetallic rattles ; they should beused in a manner sufficient toencourage and direct movement ofthe animals but without physicalcontact with them.

Painful procedures (includingwhipping, tail twisting, use of nosetwitches, pressure on eyes, ears orexternal genitalia), or the use ofunsuitable goads or other aids(including sticks with sharp ends,lengths of metal piping, fencing

wire or heavy leather belts), shouldnot be used to move animals.

The use of goads whichadminister electric shocks shouldbe discouraged and restricted tothat necessary to assist movementof the animal. Such use shouldbe limited to battery-poweredgoads on the hindquarters of

adult pigs and cattle and n everon sensitive areas such as theeyes, mouth, ears, anogenitalregion or belly.

Such instruments should not beused on other animals.

The throwing or dropping ofanimals, or their lifting ordragging by their tail, head,

horns, ears, limbs, wool, hair orfeathers, should not bepermitted. The manual lifting ofsmall animals is permissible.



Animal welfare duringthe journey

Drivers and animal handlersshould check immediately beforedeparture to ensure that theanimals have been properlyloaded. Each load should bechecked again early in the tripand periodically. Adjustmentsshould be made as appropriate.

Driving methods should besmooth without sudden turnsor stops.

Methods of restraining orcontaining animals are shown inthe OIE Guidelines.

Animals should be protectedagainst harm from hot or coldconditions during travel. Effectiveventilation should prevent thebuild-up of noxious gases.Specific temperature and humidityrecommendations are given inthe OIE Guidelines.

To prevent disease, animalsslipping, becoming dirtyand to keep the transportenvironment healthy, urineand faeces should be removedfrom floors regularly. Methodsfor its removal must complywith health and environmentallegislation.

Sick, injured and dead animals

A driver or animal handler findingsick, injured or dead animalsshould follow the agreedemergency response plan.

Sick or injured animals shouldbe kept apart from healthyones where possible anddealt with humanely. Wheneuthanasia (humane killing) isnecessary, the driver or animalhandler should ensure that it iscarried out without causing

further animal suffering, andresults in immediate death.A veterinarian should becalled if needed to ensureeuthanasia is done competently.The OIE Guidelines on emergencykilling provide informationon methods approved bythe OIE.

Contact between transportedanimals, their waste and otherfarm animals should beminimised to prevent disease.

Methods of disposal of deadanimals should prevent diseaseand comply with health andenvironmental legislation.

Water and feed requirements

All animals being transportedshould have access to feedand water if the journey lengthrequires this, or the speciesrequires feed or waterthroughout. There shouldbe enough space for all animalsto move to the feed and watersources. The OIE Guidelines

provide animal-specificrecommendations.

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Rest periodsAnimals should be rested atregular intervals during the

journey and offered feed andwater, either on the vehicleor, if necessary, unloadedinto suitable facilities. Thesefacilities should meet theneeds of the particular animalspecies and should allowaccess of all animals to feedand water.

Observations during the journey

Animals being transported byroad should be observed soonafter a journey begins andwhenever the driver has a rest

stop (with a maximum intervalof five hours). After meal breaksand refuelling stops, the animalsshould be observed immediatelybefore departure.

Animals being transported byrail should be observed ateach scheduled stop nearest tofive hours since the last

observation. The rail transportershould monitor the progress oftrains carrying animals andminimise delays.

During stops, animals mustbe properly held, have appropriatefeed and water, and be checkedthat their physical condition issatisfactory.

Unloading and handlingafter the journey

See the section on loading toensure facilities and animalhandling provide good animalwelfare (page 12). At the end of the

journey it is important to note thatanimals will be fatigued.

Unloading should be supervised byan animal handler with knowledgeand experience of the behaviourand physical aspects of the speciesbeing unloaded.

Animals should be unloaded assoon as possible after arrival.

Unloading should be done quietly

and without unnecessary noise,harassment or force.

Sick and injured animals

Any animal that has become sick,injured or disabled during a

journey should be appropriatelytreated or humanely killed.

See the OIE Guidelines on

emergency killing. When necessary,veterinary advice should be soughtin the care and treatment of theseanimals. The animal handlerduring transit should ensure thatresponsibility for the welfare ofsick, injured or disabled animalsis transferred to a suitable personat the place where animals

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are unloaded. Facilities andequipment are required for thehumane unloading of animals thatcannot walk due to fatigue, injuryor sickness. These animals should beunloaded in a manner that causesthe least amount of suffering.Separate pens should be available

for sick or injured animals. Feed andwater should be available for eachsick or injured animal.

Minimising disease risks

Animal transport can increasedisease risks via:

• increased animal contact fromdifferent places

• increased shedding of disease andrisk of infection due to stress

• exposure of animals tocontaminated vehicles, restingpoints, markets, etc.

Cleaning and disinfection

Vehicles and containers used to

transport the animals should becleaned before re-use.

This includes the physical removalof manure and bedding byscraping, washing and flushingwith water and detergent. Thisshould be followed by disinfectionwhen there are concerns aboutdisease transmission.

Manure, litter, bedding and deadanimals should be disposed of in away which prevents possibletransmission of disease andcomplies with health andenvironmental legislation.

Places where animals are held orunloaded should have areas for the

cleaning and disinfection of vehicles.

Management of disputes aboutfitness of animals to enter aregion or country

The welfare of the animals shouldbe the most importantconsideration if a journey cannot becompleted. The government orother ‘Competent Authority’ (CA) ofthat country should have suitableisolation facilities to allow theunloading of animals. The CA of theimporting country should declareimmediately in writing the reasonsfor the refusal; they should provideurgent access to a veterinarian, andthe necessary facilities andapprovals for required diagnostic

testing; they should provide forcontinued health and welfareassessment. If the CA asks thatanimals remain on the vehicle, theyshould allow feed and water to beprovided and their welfare regularlyassessed. If the situation cannot berapidly resolved, the CA should askthe OIE to help resolve the problem.

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Visit us at www.ciwf.orgCompassion in World Farming, 5a Charles Street

Petersfield, Hampshire. GU32 3EHTel: +44 (0)1730 264 208Registered Charity No 1095050

Animal Handler

Water/Feed

Ventilation

Shelter/Rest

Cleaning

Veterinarian

Facilities

Checklist

Yes

Administration

Gentle Handling

Transport

No Mixed Animals

Mixed Animals

Telephone

Death/Sickness

Bad Weather

No

Glossary

Documents

Animal Welfare During Land Transportation