Factfile
Most of the EU laws* on live animal transport only apply to animals transported for trade or business. The laws include maximum lengths of time that different species can be transported by road, rail, sea and air.
How long are the journey times?
In ‘basic’ vehicles, journey times must not be longer than 8 hours. In vehicles that meet additional requirements journey times can be longer. For example, in so-called ‘higher-specification’ vehicles, livestock can be transported for well over 8 hours in temperatures of up to 35 degrees celcius.
What are the permitted ‘long journey’ times for different animals?
Unweaned calves (above 14 days of age), lambs, kids, foals and piglets (heavier than 10 kilogrammes)
9 hours travel, at least 1 hour rest on the lorry, with water (and food if necessary), then a further 9 hours travel.
Adult pigs
24 hours travel without stopping, providing they have continuous access to water.
Adult cattle and sheep
14 hours travel, at least 1 hour rest on the lorry, with water (and food if necessary), then a further 14 hours travel.
Adult horses
24 hours travel, with water (and food if necessary) provided every 8 hours. On journeys over 8 hours, horses must be transported in individual stalls (mares and their foals can travel in the same stall). The maximum permitted journey time for ‘unbroken’ horses (not tame) is 8 hours.
Poultry
No maximum journey time. They must be provided with suitable food and water if journeys last more than 12 hours.
Dogs and cats
No maximum journey time when being transported for commercial purposes. They must be fed every 24 hours, given water every 8 hours, and be at least 8 weeks old.
These ‘long journey’ times can be extended by 2 hours in certain situations, for example, if vehicles are nearly at their destination. After each journey, animals must be unloaded, fed, watered and rested for at least 24 hours before further travel.
Which animals are permitted to travel and under what conditions?
There are various rules about whether an animal is ‘fit’ to travel. These include the age of the animal, whether it has any injuries and how severe these are, and the stage of pregnancy of pregnant females. Some special provisions (such as bedding material) must be given to very young animals, and the slopes of ramps used for loading and unloading must not be steeper than certain limits.
What systems are in place to enforce these laws?
Anyone transporting animals for commercial purposes has to carry documents stating the animals’ origin, ownership, place of departure, destination and the expected duration of the journey. All transporters must also hold either a ‘short journey’ (for travel of 8 hours of less) or ‘long journey’ authorisation and hold a valid certificate of competence. They can only get this certificate if they’ve had certain animal welfare-related competencies assessed by an independent body. If transporters break the rules, EU Member States can theoretically apply penalties including withdrawal of their authorisation, which would prevent further trading.
Any vehicle used to transport animals on long journeys must also be inspected and ‘approved’ by the authorities before it can be used. All EU member states are expected to carry out checks on vehicles and animals during transport and at the end of journeys. The European Commission is meant to supervise this.
Unfortunately, these laws alone are not always adequate to protect animal welfare.
* More information is available on our downloadable Live transport information sheet June 2008 (PDF 115KB).