Welfare of Animals During Transport

The EU Regulation for transporting animals can be viewed at
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2006/uksi_20063260_en.pdf

If you rear and transport gamebirds in connection with an economic activity (i.e. as part of a business or trade) this will affect you.

There are a number of specific points that anyone transporting gamebirds in connection with an economic activity needs to take account of. Those transporting gamebirds on journeys up to 65km need to observe the following EU rules and general welfare provisions:

• No one shall transport animals, or cause them to be transported, in a way likely to cause them injury or undue suffering.
• Journey times are kept to a minimum.
• The animals must be fit to travel.
• Those handling animals have been trained and are competent.
• The vehicle and its loading and unloading facilities are designed, constructed and maintained to avoid injury and suffering and to ensure the safety of the animals.
• Documentation is provided which shows the following: origin and ownership of animals; place of departure and destination; date and time of departure and expected duration of journey (usually referred to as an Animal Transport Certificate).
• The EU rules refer to poultry. In this instance Defra considers poultry to include: domestic fowl, ducks, geese, turkeys, guinea, fowl, quails, pheasants and partridges.
• Water, feed and opportunity to rest are made available to the animals as appropriate and sufficient floor space and height is available in the transport.