Document type: article published by MASA
Author: French Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty
Preview: In an Order dated July 22, 2019, the French Minister of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty restricted the transport of live terrestrial vertebrate animals on national territory during periods of extreme heat. The ministerial order prohibits movement between 1pm and 6pm in Départements placed on orange alert and above. Exemptions are possible (specially fitted vehicles, etc.). For long journeys lasting more than 8 hours, only journeys with temperatures below 30°C are authorized.
The Order, dated July 22, 2019, contains the following:
The transport of live animals is strictly regulated. During heatwaves, as at any other time of the year,Article 3 of EC regulation 1/2005 stipulates that "No person shall transport animals or cause them to be transported in such conditions as to be likely to cause them injury or unnecessary suffering". Animals must therefore be protected at all times from bad weather, sunlight, heat and cold. They must not be transported in extreme temperatures that could cause avoidable suffering.
The European Union regulations also require the inspection and approval of vehicles used for long-distance transport. The main checks performed ensure that:
- vehicle ventilation systems are in place, enabling the temperature inside the compartments to be kept between 5°C and 30°C, with a tolerance of 5°C depending on climatic conditions;
- temperature sensors are installed, enabling the driver to monitor temperatures inside the compartments at all times;
- a system is in place that records these temperatures, the results of which must be made available to the inspection teams.
In addition, all animal transport organizers must take weather conditions into account when planning a journey. Subsequent checks may be carried out by official agents (to ensure in particular that the maximum permitted temperatures have not been exceeded).
During periods of extreme heat (temperatures in excess of 30°C), it is generally difficult to maintain temperatures inside the compartments housing the animals within the regulatory range (between 5°C and 30°C, +/- 5°C), a fortiori when extended stops are planned (e.g. at transfer points, or at the various borders that are crossed). As a result, throughout Europe, monitoring agents are asked not to authorize transfers or exports when the weather forecast for the journey exceeds 30°C, unless the organizer can provide guarantees of his or her ability to keep the vehicle's internal temperatures within the regulatory range.
European Regulation CE 1/2005 Since January 5, 2007, this regulation has governed the transport of live vertebrate animals for commercial purposes within the European Union and for journeys beginning in EU Member States. An update is currently being reviewed within the European Union. European Regulation EC 1/2005 remains fully applicable during this revision process.
For further information, go to the European Commission website
