Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Livestock transport laws too vague, study finds
“All studied countries fall short in guaranteeing adequate protection to livestock during transport” – Ben Lecorps.
Researchers call for more specific legislation.

Animal transport regulations are failing to adequately protect livestock on long journeys, according to a new study by academics from the Universities of Bristol, Essex, and British Columbia.

The researchers conducted a ‘fitness check’ on existing laws in the EU, the UK, the USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, focusing on four major welfare risk factors: fitness for transport, journey duration, climatic conditions and space allowances.

Assessing the regulations in light of relevant scientific literature, they found that the majority of the laws were insufficient or too vague to be considered fit for purpose. For example, current EU space allowances fail to provide heavy cattle with the space that scientists have found they need to move between laying down and standing.

The team also looked at some proposed changes to the law. They highlighted that the UK’s planned ban on the export of livestock for slaughter from Great Britain will only apply to certain species, meaning that animals such as poultry will not be covered.

Ben Lecorps, study co-author and Animal Welfare lecturer at the Bristol Veterinary School, said: “All studied countries fall short in guaranteeing adequate protection to livestock during transport.

“Whilst this does not mean that all animals transported will experience serious harms, major risk factors such as excessively long journeys, or journeys during hot weather, are not being addressed to a satisfactory level.”

Eugénie Duval, study co-author and lecturer in Law at the Essex Law School, said: “Even if they do not necessarily reflect the latest scientific evidence, some regulations are more specific than others.

“If we were to take the best from each regulatory framework (e.g. fitness for transport in Canada; providing species-specific thresholds for the temperature inside vehicles in the EU) and apply some of the propositions made by some countries (e.g. a ban of export outside the EU borders: proposition of some EU member states), the ensuing regulations would be a major step closer to safeguarding animal welfare during transportation.”

The study, which was funded by
the Hans Sigrist Research Prize and a grant from the Humane Slaughter Association, has been published in the journal Royal Society Open Science.

Image © Shutterstock

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Free CPD announced for BVNA members

News Story 1
 Zoetis is to present a CPD event for free to members of the British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA).

Led by veterinary consultant Ruth Moxon, the one-hour online session is designed to help veterinary nurses discuss parasiticide options with clients. It will advise on structuring recommendations, factors for product choice and moving away from 'selling'.

'How do you recommend parasite treatments to your clients?' will be presented on Tuesday, 20 May at 7.30pm. It is free for BVNA members, with £15.00 tickets for non-members.

Veterinary nurses can email cpd@bvna.co.uk to book their place. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
DAERA to reduce BVD 'grace period'

DAERA has reminded herd keepers of an upcoming reduction to the 'grace period' to avoid BVD herd restrictions.

From 1 May 2025, herd keepers will have seven days to cull any BVD positive or inconclusive animals to avoid restrictions being applied to their herd.

It follows legislation introduced on 1 February, as DAERA introduces herd movement restrictions through a phased approach. Herd keepers originally had 28 days to cull BVD positive or inconclusive animals.

DAERA says that, providing herd keepers use the seven-day grace period, no herds should be restricted within the first year of these measures.

Additional measures, which will target herds with animals over 30 days old that haven't been tested for BVD, will be introduced from 1 June 2025.

More information is available on the DAERA website.