EU proposes new transport rules for livestock safety
New European Union rules to protect the safety of animals during transportation, for commercial purposes, will come into effect in January 2007.
Under the new regulations anyone transporting farmed or other animals, including dogs and horses, more than 65 kilometres must be specifically authorised to do so. Plus, all transport vehicles for journeys lasting longer than eight hours will have to be inspected and approved against new standards. Drivers and attendants on journeys of more than 65 kilometres will also be required to hold a certificate of competence in order to transport horses, cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, or poultry.
The new rules will not apply to actions such as taking a pet on recreational trips, journeys to or from a veterinary practice or clinic under veterinary supervision, or the transport by farmers of their own animals in their vehicles for journeys less than 50 kilometres (31 miles).
How the rules will be established and what affect they will have on industry have not as yet been finalised.
