Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council

Transport of animals

Welfare of Animals (Transport) (England) Order 2006 (SI 2006/3260)

The transport of animals to and from markets, to slaughter, and, particularly, on export journeys, is legitimately a matter of widespread public concern, these concerns are recognised, and a high priority is given to ensure that the welfare of animals is protected during transport.

This is achieved through regulations and enforcement, as well as through supervision and guidance.

The government is often urged to ban the exports of live animals for slaughter or further fattening. The clear legal position, confirmed by two judgements of the European court, is that this is a legal trade and that restricting it or banning it could be defended in law.

Defra's policy is therefore to ensure scrupulous application of the EU rules on our territory, and, importantly, to encourage other member states to do the same.

The EU rules governing animal welfare in transit are set down in and implemented in Great Britain by the Welfare of Animals (Transport) (England) Order 2006 (SI 2006/3260). As well as providing for EU-wide maximum journey times, feeding and watering intervals, and proper rest periods for animals to recover from journeys, the rules give strengthened enforcement powers through, for example, authorisation of transporters and route plan requirements.

The rules are applied scrupulously, with enforcement of WATO jointly a matter for Local Authorities and the State Veterinary Service.