New transport rules for animals in Jersey
New rules aim to ensure animal welfare is safeguarded.
New rules coming into force this week mean businesses transporting animals in and out of Jersey will have to get authorisation from the environment department.
According to Jersey authorities, the new rules will ensure people use transport in a way that safeguards animal welfare.
Animals being moved for commercial reasons, whether by car, van, plane or boat, must be authorised by the Animal Health and Welfare Section of the Department of the Environment. Once granted, authorisation is valid for five years.
Different types of authorisation will be needed for short journeys - over 65km and up to eight hours - and long journeys of more than eight hours.
For long journeys transporting farm livestock, including horses and poultry, drivers and attendants will require training and a certificate of competence.
Under the new rules, vehicles and containers must be designed, made and operated in such a way as to avoid injury and suffering to animals during long journeys transporting cattle, sheep, pigs, goats and members of the horse family.
Vehicles transporting other species on journeys of more than 12 hours will require approval from UK authorities. In case of emergencies, a back-up plan must also be in place for all journeys.
As the new rules relate to journeys over 65km, they will not apply to journeys within Jersey. Journeys to or from veterinary clinics carried out under veterinary supervision are also exempt.
Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.
