1. Improvement of Animal Welfare
During Long Distance Transport
Animal transport legislation and conditions of
long distance transport
CP2 FINAL CONFERENCE
Kurhaus, Scheveningen The Hague
7° May 2014
Jennifer Woods
Animal Transportation Association - ATA
Stefano Messori
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise "G. Caporale"

2. 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
CP2 FINAL CONFERENCE
Kurhaus, Scheveningen The Hague
7° May 2014

3. EU Insight:
livestock transport overview
SANCO/2011/G3/CRPA/SI2.610274
CP2 FINAL CONFERENCE
Kurhaus, Scheveningen The Hague
7° May 2014
TOT
Pig 28.505.518
Sheep 4.126.739
Cattle 3.878.462
Horses 110.845
Source: TRACES 2011
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Pig Sheep Cattle Horses
%>24/29h
8h<%<24/29h
%<8h

4. EU Insight:
very long journeys overview
SANCO/2011/G3/CRPA/SI2.610274
CP2 FINAL CONFERENCE
Kurhaus, Scheveningen The Hague
7° May 2014
Pig transport >24h Cattle transport >29h

5. EU Insight:
very long journeys overview
SANCO/2011/G3/CRPA/SI2.610274
CP2 FINAL CONFERENCE
Kurhaus, Scheveningen The Hague
7° May 2014
Horse transport >24h Sheep transport >29h

6. YOUR LOGO
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).
SANCO/2011/G3/CRPA/SI2.610274
CP2 FINAL CONFERENCE
Kurhaus, Scheveningen The Hague
7° May 2014

7. YOUR LOGO
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
SANCO/2011/G3/CRPA/SI2.610274
CP2 FINAL CONFERENCE
Kurhaus, Scheveningen The Hague
7° May 2014

8. YOUR LOGO
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
SANCO/2011/G3/CRPA/SI2.610274
CP2 FINAL CONFERENCE
Kurhaus, Scheveningen The Hague
7° May 2014

9. SANCO/2011/G3/CRPA/SI2.610274
YOUR LOGO
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.

10. SANCO/2011/G3/CRPA/SI2.610274
YOUR LOGO
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)
CP2 FINAL CONFERENCE
Kurhaus, Scheveningen The Hague
7° May 2014

11. SANCO/2011/G3/CRPA/SI2.610274
YOUR LOGO
Background: The US
CP2 FINAL CONFERENCE
Kurhaus, Scheveningen The Hague
7° May 2014
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

12. SANCO/2011/G3/CRPA/SI2.610274
YOUR LOGO
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 Inspection
Agency (CFIA).
CP2 FINAL CONFERENCE
Kurhaus, Scheveningen The Hague
7° May 2014

13. SANCO/2011/G3/CRPA/SI2.610274
YOUR LOGO
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
CP2 FINAL CONFERENCE
Kurhaus, Scheveningen The Hague
7° May 2014

14. SANCO/2011/G3/CRPA/SI2.610274
YOUR LOGO
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 Hague
7° May 2014

15. YOUR LOGO
Method: LinkedIn group
SANCO/2011/G3/CRPA/SI2.610274
CP2 FINAL CONFERENCE
Kurhaus, Scheveningen The Hague
7° May 2014
Preliminary results

16. YOUR LOGO
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.
SANCO/2011/G3/CRPA/SI2.610274
CP2 FINAL CONFERENCE
Kurhaus, Scheveningen The Hague
7° May 2014
What about the other countries?

17. YOUR LOGO
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 good
welfare that the stocking density
should not be too high.
SANCO/2011/G3/CRPA/SI2.610274
Courtesy of Mario Sapino
Canada:
Animal shall not be loaded crowded to such an extent as to be likely to cause them
injuries.

18. YOUR LOGO
Does the norm provide for minimum space
allowance on the vehicle?
EU:
all animal livestock species and categories.
Different values for different species/category
SANCO/2011/G3/CRPA/SI2.610274
Chile:
Depending on the animal species and category
“In order to guarantee proper thermoregulation”
What about the other countries?

19. 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: 8h
Time can be extended if additional provision are fulfilled (e.g. vehicle features,
feeding/watering interval, resting times).
Chile:
Special provisions for journeys longer than 24h
Feeding, 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).
What about the other countries?

20. 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
What about the other countries?

21. 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?

22. YOUR LOGO
Thank you for your attention
SANCO/2011/G3/CRPA/SI2.610274
CP2 FINAL CONFERENCE
Kurhaus, Scheveningen The Hague
7° May 2014
s.messori@izs.itlivestockhandling@mac.com