Animal transport legislation and conditions of long distance transport

Improvement of Animal Welfare During Long Distance Transport

Animal transport legislation and conditions of long distance transport

CP2 FINAL CONFERENCEKurhaus, Scheveningen The Hague

7° May 2014

Jennifer WoodsAnimal Transportation Association - ATA

Stefano MessoriIstituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise "G. Caporale"

Animal welfare during transport

During transport, animals are subjected to a wide range of stressors:• isolation;• forced close proximity to unfamiliar or aggressive animals;• novel or threatening surroundings;• exposure to new pathogens;• forced adoption of an abnormal posture;• extremes temperature and changing climate zones;• water and feed deprivation.

Moreover, animals may injure themselves before and following the transport (e.g. falling from the ramp during loading/unloading).

All these conditions might result in welfare impairment, that might be worst when transportation involves long journeys.

Ensuring good travel conditions and animals fitness to travel is paramount to allow them withstand long journeys without experiencing welfare impairment.

SANCO/2011/G3/CRPA/SI2.610274


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EU Insight: livestock transport overview



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TOT

Pig 28.505.518

Sheep 4.126.739

Cattle 3.878.462

Horses 110.845

Source: TRACES 2011

Pig Sheep Cattle Horses0

20

40

60

80

100%>24/29h8h<%<24/29h%<8h

EU Insight: very long journeys overview



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Pig transport >24h Cattle transport >29h

EU Insight: very long journeys overview



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Horse transport >24h Sheep transport >29h

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Background: EC Regulation 1/2005

Applies to all commercial transports of live animals within the EU and between EU

Member States and Third Countries.

Provides general rules for the protection of livestock during transport.

Provides for special requirements in case of long journeys (>8h).



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EC Regulation 1/2005: general

Transport documentation

Vehicle technical characteristics

Journey planning

Training of driver and animal keepers

Fitness for transport

Transport practices

Special provisions for long journey



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EC Regulation 1/2005: long journeys

Feeding/watering intervals

Journey times

Resting periods

Additional provisions for mean of transport

Ventilation system

Navigation system

Transporter authorisation



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Background: Canada and the US

Canada and U.S have been transporting livestock long distance for a very long time!

First recorded transport of livestock by land in North America - cattle by rail car in 1867.

Mid 20th Century saw the shift from railcars to trucks for livestock.

Transport hundreds of thousands of head a day.


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Background: The US

United States:

Very limited regulations.

Only federal regulation pertaining specifically to transport of livestock “28 Hour Law” and

Code of Federal Regulations (9 CFR Part 88)


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Background: The US


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28 Hour Law

Enacted in 1873 to regulate transport of livestock by train.

Very basic - limits time to 28 hours that animals can be transported without a break for feed and water.

Amended in 1994 to apply to land transport also.

9 CFR Part 88

Brought into law 2001

Only applies to horses bound for slaughter.

Segregation, provisions of water, floor space, prohibits double deck trailers, fitness


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Background: Canada

Canadian Laws & Regulations

The primary federal laws and regulations governing livestock handling and transportation in Canada are:

1. Health of Animals Regulations

2.Meat Inspection Regulations

3.Criminal Code of Canada Part XI, Section 446

These regulations are enforced by the Canadian Food InspectionAgency (CFIA).


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Background: Canada

Primary Regulations

HEALTH OF ANIMALS REGULATIONS – Part XII Transportation defines conditions for the humane transportation of all animals in Canada by all modes of transport.

Examples of the provisions contained in “Part XII -Transportation” include:· Prohibition of overcrowding of animals during transport,· Prohibition of transportation of animals that are unfit to travel,· Carriers cannot load, transport or unload animals in a way that would cause injury or undue suffering,· Requirements for provision of food, water, and rest at specific intervals,· Protection from adverse weather, adequate ventilation,· Use of proper containers and transport vehicles, · Segregation of incompatible animal


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Background: Canada

Codes of Practice

Best practices including loading

densities, conditions, loading,

unloading facilities, etc.

Is recognized by law and can be

enforceable.CP2 FINAL CONFERENCE

Kurhaus, Scheveningen The Hague7° May 2014

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Method: LinkedIn group



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Preliminary results

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Are there specific regulations on animal protection during transport in other

Countries?

Chile: Decreto 30, 16 May 2013

APRUEBA REGLAMENTO SOBRE PROTECCIÓN DEL GANADO DURANTE EL TRANSPORTE

Mean travelled distance (cattle) 100-800km (3-12h); some long transports (more than 14h, up to 48h)

Pigs and sheep are transported mainly over short distances (2-4h). Anyway, for sheep some long and very long transports occur.



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What about the other countries?

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Does the norm provide for minimum space allowance on the vehicle?

Space allowance during road transport can significantly affect the

level of bruising, carcass weight and risk of injury of the animals

It is crucial for goodwelfare that the stocking density

should not be too high.


Courtesy of Mario Sapino

Canada: Animal shall not be loaded crowded to such an extent as to be likely to cause them injuries.

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Does the norm provide for minimum space allowance on the vehicle?

EU: all animal livestock species and categories.Different values for different species/category


Chile: Depending on the animal species and category“In order to guarantee proper thermoregulation”


Does the norm provide for maximum journey time?

Transport and related operations might result in welfare impairment, that might be worst when transportation involves long

journeys.EU: Maximum journey time: 8hTime can be extended if additional provision are fulfilled (e.g. vehicle features, feeding/watering interval, resting times).

Chile: Special provisions for journeys longer than 24hFeeding, watering, 8h unloading.

Canada: Ruminant transport limit is 48h, monogastric is 36h.Feeding and watering rules/staging points.US: Max duration of 28h.It does not apply when animals are transported in a vehicle in which the animals have food, water, space, and an opportunity for rest (but it is almost never the case).


Does the norm provide for animal health checks prior to departure?

Ensuring animals fitness to travel is paramount when allow them withstand long journeys without experiencing welfare impairment.

EU: all animals must be fit for the intended journey.Additional detail provided about unfit to travel animals (e.g. illness, late pregnancy status)

Chile: “Transport risks shall be reduced by selecting livestock fit for travel”. Additional details provided about unfitness to travel (e.g. illness, late pregnancy status)

Canada: Forbid to transport animals showing signs of infirmity, illness, injury, fatigue or any other cause cannot be transported without undue suffering during the expected journey.

US: No federal provisions


AW legislation at transport:

Is there need of having regulations or other control means are to preferred?

Are the legislation currently in place sufficient to protect animal welfare?

Legislation wording: better to have fully detailed provision (e.g. numbers) or more ‘adaptable’ wording?

Which aspects of transport have to be covered by an AW regulation?

How relevant are non-regulatory approaches in protecting animal welfare during transport?

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Thank you for your attention



7° May 2014

[email protected]@mac.com

Health & Medicine

Animal transport legislation and conditions of long distance transport