Investigating Illegal Animal Transport
EU - New transport regulations for all businesses transporting livestock over 65km came into affect this time last year, but FARMINGUK report they have found that many are ignoring them, and others simply do not know.
11 January 2008
2 minute read
The driver and attendants now need to hold a certificate of competence in order to legally transport animals by road across the U.K. and the rest of Europe. In response to this Lantra Awards has developed a Level 2 certificate of competence qualification enabling drivers and attendants to meet the appropriate levels needed for European Council Regulations, Welfare of Animals During Transport 1/2005.
* "There would appear to be a lack of awareness to the changes in the EU legislation for the Welfare of Animals during Transport" |
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Wayne Grills, Managing Director, Lantra Awards
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Under the new transport rules drivers and attendants must have been independently assessed in their competence and have been awarded a valid certificate of competence from an accredited Awarding Body, such as Lantra Awards. The areas the regulations cover that need to be tested include, fitness for travel, means of transport, loading, unloading and handling, water and feeding intervals, journey times and rest periods, rest allowances and documentation.
Wayne Grills, Managing Director, Lantra Awards, explains: "There would appear to be a lack of awareness to the changes in the EU legislation for the Welfare of Animals during Transport, and how to go about getting the appropriate certificate of competence. At a time when the industry is already beset with problems, such as Foot and Mouth and Bluetongue, our aim is to help those individuals affected gain the required qualification as quickly as possible in a format that is easy to use."
Failure to comply with these regulations could lead to a £5000 fine and/or 6 months imprisonment. However, Defra has suggested that due to recent set backs in the farming industry, such as Foot and Mouth and Bluetongue, the decision has been made not to take any action against transporters without a certificate until the end of April 2008. Even with this additional time to comply the available time is limited before the certificates become compulsory. This only applies to journeys within the U.K., all journeys in the rest of Europe will still need a valid certificate from January 2008.
The Lantra Awards qualification, Level 2 Certificate in the Welfare of Animals During Transport (accredited by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority and approved by Defra) meets the 2 key areas identified in the regulations; Short Journey, a journey that is over 65 km and under 8 hours, and Long Journey, a journey that is over 8 hours. The short journey assessment is available as either a paper based or on-line multiple choice question paper, with the long journey assessment requiring completion of the multiple choice question paper and a practical assessment, either a portfolio of evidence or direct
