NEWS RELEASE
Date: 5 January 2007
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New welfare during transport rules come into force
New rules relating to the welfare of animals during transport come into force today.
The new regulations are intended to improve the welfare of animals during transport and apply to anyone moving live vertebrate animals in connection with an economic activity.
Journeys excluded from scope include those not in the course of business or trade or journeys undertaken under veterinary instruction.
The regulation requires those transporting animals in connection with an economic activity to be authorised. Two types of authorisation exist: one for short journeys (over 65km and up to eight hours) and one for long journeys (including eight hours and over). Those travelling over 8 hours may require their vehicles to be inspected and approved.
Full details on the regulation's requirements, including details of how to apply for transporter authorisations, can be found on our website at:
www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/welfare/farmed/transport/eu-transportreg.htm
Notes to editors
1. Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 comes into force today across all EU Member States. The Regulation is implemented in England by the Welfare of Animals (Transport) (England) Order 2006 (SI 2006/3260). Parallel legislation is being introduced in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
2. The Regulation applies to the transport of all live vertebrate animals in connection with an economic activity. A summary of the Regulation is available on the EU website at: http://europa.eu.int/comm/food/animal/welfare/transport/index_en.htm
The Regulation itself can be viewed at: http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/lex/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2005/l_003/l_00320050105en00010044.pdf 
(on Europa website)
3. Further information can be obtained from:
Animal Welfare Division
Transport & Markets Team
Area 507
1A Page Street
London SW1P 4PQ
Tel: 020 7904 6576
email: aw-transport@defra.gsi.gov.uk
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Page published: 5 January 2007