8 January 2007

NORTH WALES MP WELCOMES NEW REGULATIONS TO PROTECT ANIMALS DURING TRANSPORTATION

North Wales MP, MARTYN JONES (Clwyd South) has welcomed new rules that have comeinto force today, relating to the welfare of animals during transportation.

The new European Regulations are intended to improve the welfare of animals during transportation 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 new types of authorisation will come into force:

* 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.

The Regulation applies to all those involved with the transport of vertebrate animals in connection with an economic activity.

For example, livestock and equine hauliers, farmers, animal breeders, performing animal transporters and those working at markets, assembly centres and slaughterhouses.

It would not apply to individuals who ride for pleasure who transport their own horses, or to individuals taking their own pets on holiday.

Commenting on the new regulations, Martyn Jones MP said:

"This is further good news for those people who care about animal welfare.

"Mercifully there are few examples of British hauliers or farmers causing unneccesary suffering to animals during transportation, however the same cannot be said for other countries.

"I welcome the new regulations on animal movement. It means no animal will in future be transported unless it is fit for the journey. It also ensures that all animals will be transported in conditions that guarantee not to cause them injury or unnecessary suffering during the journey."