News

21 NOVEMBER 2006

NEW ANIMAL TRANSPORT REGULATIONS IN 2007

Turkey Club UK explains how this will affect turkeys.

The new European Union Regulation for transporting animals comes into force from 5 January 2007 and if you transport any kind of animal then this regulation applies to you.

The purpose of the new regulation is to improve the welfare of animals during transport and although it will only affect anyone transporting live vertebrate animals in connection with an economic activity, everyone needs to be aware of the rules that will be in operation.

Some keepers of turkeys will fall under the new regulation, whilst others will not, depending on why the birds are kept. An economic activity is being interpreted as any transporting of animals undertaken as part of a business or commercial activity, which aims at achieving financial gain, whether direct or indirect, for any person or company involved with the transport.

The Regulation does not affect you if :

• Transportation of the poultry is not in connection with an economic activity

• Transportation is to or from veterinary practices or clinics under veterinary advice

• Journeys where the bird is an individual bird, accompanied by its owner or other responsible person

• Transportation of poultry by hobby breeders - where income source does not exceed expenses of hobby

• Journeys where the poultry are pet animals accompanied by their owner on a journey

• Farmers or smallholders transporting their own poultry, in their own vehicles, under 50km.

So, commercial turkey businesses that sell day-old poults or adult meat birds will require the person that moves the birds, for example from hatchery to farm, or from rearing unit to a processing plant to have a transporter authorisation. Even if you raise turkeys on a small scale, if you profit from doing this and the profit is more than the cost of rearing and keeping the birds, then authorisation to move the birds if buying them in from further than 50km will be required.

There will be two types of authorisation for turkeys that are moved in connection with an economic activity - one authorisation for journeys of over 65km (approximately 40 miles) and up to 8 hours and another for long journeys of over 8 hours. A long journey authorisation is also valid for short journeys, so if you move turkeys’ short distances as well as long distances then you need only apply for the long journey authorisation.

For those transporting turkeys on journeys over 65km for economic gain, transporters must :

• Hold a transporter authorisation

• Ensure drivers and attendants are in possession of a certificate of competence (from January 2008)

• Demonstrate that they have appropriate staff and equipment to transport birds in a proper way and to have no record of serious infringements of animal welfare legislation in the preceding 3 years

• Complete an Animal Transport Certificate for each journey, similar to the requirement now.

There are also a number of further requirements for long journeys over 8 hours - in addition to those above. Transporters must :

• Be in possession of a long journey transporter authorisation

• If the vehicle is used for transporting farmed animals and horses, get it inspected and approved

• Ensure contingency plans in case of emergencies are in place

• Ensure the Journey Log has been completed (for journeys of unregistered horses and livestock) where the journey is going outside the UK.

Under the EU Regulation, everyone transporting turkeys - whether for economic gain or not - must ensure that they are aware of and adhere to the following requirements :

1. Journey times are kept to a minimum

2. The birds are fit to travel

3. The vehicle and its loading and unloading facilities are designed, constructed and maintained to avoid injury and suffering

4. Water, feed and rest are given to the birds as needed and sufficient floor space and height is allowed

5. Those handling turkeys are trained and competent.

Do not transport turkeys on unnecessarily long, roundabout journeys and try to have them in the vehicle for as short a time as possible. Only transport turkeys that are fit (unless they are going to the vet) - have a healthy, coloured head and caruncles, clean bright eyes, no discharge from nostrils or ears and no smell. Do not move turkeys that have leg problems, which would result in stress and discomfort from trying to balance during the journey. The turkeys should also be free from any signs of respiratory problems or other health problems that could result in a health and welfare issue for them during transport or for other birds at the destination. The turkeys should not be injured in any way, which could cause further stress during transport.

Turkeys moved should be boxed or partitioned in the vehicle so that they have plenty of ventilation but also protection so they are not squashed, suffocated or trampled during transportation. Travelling boxes etc should be large enough for the avian species being transported and contain shavings or straw so that the birds do not slip during transportation. Turkeys must be afforded an area of space suitable for their size and if contained in mesh frames or similar, put solid partitions between so that no fighting can take place during the journey, if they are not from a group they are used to.

If moving a turkey in a cardboard box it should have air holes cut into the top corners and sides and burnt when finished with, so as not to risk any possible disease spread. Other boxes and containers should be cleaned out and disinfected after use. Do not stack the boxes on top of one another unless they are of a strong construction, have plenty of ventilation around the sides of the boxes and are secure during movement.

If travelling very long distances, the birds should be offered water and feed when necessary. During overnight travel the birds will generally be sleeping throughout transport and this rest time should be respected.

Only those who are experienced with handling turkeys should be allowed to transport them. This covers knowledge of handling the birds during catching and boxing, to securing the boxes in the vehicle and driving in such a way as not to cause stress during transit.

The manner in which turkeys are handled can have a great affect on their welfare. Never catch birds by their legs or carry them via the legs with the body weight suspended. This can result in injury and is most detrimental to large birds like turkeys. Even worse is holding a turkey by one leg as the hip can easily dislocate. If the turkey being caught is not tame, driving it into a confined space or dropping a fishing landing net over it when by a shed or in a corner is less stressful for the bird than frantically running around trying to grab at it.

Female turkeys are caught by loosely taking hold of the base of the neck by the shoulders and one wing and using the other hand to confine the other wing. Then cradle the bird with both arms and lift under one arm. Cradle the bird with the arm it is under, holding the legs with the other hand. Alternatively, carry the turkey with the body under the arm and head facing behind you, using the fingers of that arm to secure the legs.

Male turkeys are caught in a similar way but it may certainly be easier to carry heavy, male turkeys with the head facing the front. One arm caressing the body, with wings secure and the other hand holding the legs, just above the feet. Use care when placing birds into a box or container and do not drop, squash or push them as this can damage legs and add trauma to the journey.

Transport authorisations are issued in England, Scotland and Wales by the State Veterinary Service (SVS) and in Northern Ireland by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. The authorisations are valid for 5 years unless revoked or suspended for animal welfare infringements. Applications can be obtained via the Defra website : www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/welfare, Defra offices or livestock markets.

Completed application forms for England, Scotland and Wales should be returned to :

Welfare in Transport Section, State Veterinary Service
Block C, Government Buildings, Whittington Road, Worcester, WR5 2SU

The SVS can also be contacted on 0845 603 8395  for advice in connection with transporter authorisations or by email at : wit@svs.gsi.gov.uk

In Northern Ireland completed applications should be sent to :

Animal Welfare, Department for Agriculture and Rural Development in Northern Ireland (DARD),
Room 728, Dundonald House, Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast, BT4 3SB   Tel 028 9052 4950
.

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