Document type : Dossier published on the website of the French Ministry of Agriculture and Food
Preview: In France, nearly 380,000 farms (all species) are involved in road transport. The transport of animals must take into account all the measures necessary to reduce animal stress by following the procedures laid down in the regulations.
Current regulations concerning the protection of animals during transport are as follows:
- Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 of 22 December 2004 on the protection of animals during transport and related operations
- The French Code Rural et de la Pêche Maritime(CRPM), Article L.214-12 (legislative section) and R.214-49 to 62 (regulatory section).
Fitness of animals for transport
Before departure, the driver assesses the fitness of the animals for transport, checking that they are correctly identified and in good health. Injured or weak animals are not considered fit to travel.
Sometimes animals with minor injuries can be transported to the slaughterhouse under the authority of a veterinarian who issues a veterinary certificate of information (CVI). Only animals of the bovine, equine or porcine species that have been injured for less than 48 hours can be the subject of a CVI, on condition that the planned transport is not likely to cause additional suffering.
An animal that shows signs of illness or injury during transport should be isolated and given prompt and appropriate care. If necessary, the animal may be killed or euthanised as a matter of urgency to avoid any avoidable suffering.
Transport conditions
Animals that may present a danger or stress to others should be separated, such as horned animals from hornless animals, animals that are hostile towards other animals...
The animals must be provided with sufficient height to stand in a natural position and a surface area appropriate to the mode of transport and the category of animals being transported, in particular to allow air circulation between the animals (density ranges are specified for cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and poultry).
The means of transport and loading/unloading equipment should be suitable for animals, regardless of the mode of transport (road, sea, air, rail). The surroundings should be clean and arranged in such a way that they do not cause injury. The natural movements of the animals should not be impeded, and access for care should be available.
