Transporting livestock by road: paperwork
There are strict rules about the paperwork that needs to be held by those who transport animals as part of a business
Although the United Kingdom has left the European Union (EU), certain pieces of legislation (formally known as 'retained EU law') will still apply until such time as they are replaced by new UK legislation; this means that you will still see references to EU regulations in our guidance.
To fully understand this guidance, it is important to note the difference between the United Kingdom and Great Britain:
- UK: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
- GB: England, Scotland and Wales
This guidance is for Wales
It is essential that those transporting animals on journeys of more than 65 km (about 40 miles) as part of an economic activity hold a valid transporter authorisation to do so and carry it with them on the journey.
Farmers, transporters and attendants using road vehicles for transporting farm animals, which includes poultry and horses, in connection with an economic activity must have received appropriate training and gained the certificate of competence to transport farm animals. The certificate of competence is issued by an independent body nominated by the Welsh Government.
An animal transport certificate (ATC) must be completed for every journey unless an exemption is met.
TRANSPORTER AUTHORISATIONS
Anyone transporting animals on journeys of more than 65 km as part of an economic activity must hold a valid transporter authorisation to do so.
There are two types of authorisation:
- type 1. A short journey authorisation for journeys longer than 65 km and up to and including eight hours duration
- type 2. A long journey authorisation that covers all journeys, including those over eight hours duration
Anyone transporting animals must carry their transporter authorisation, or a copy of it, and produce it upon the request of animal health and welfare inspectors or trading standards officers.
Transporter authorisation certificates will be issued in GB by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) and more information on welfare during transportation is available on the GOV.UK website.
A transporter authorisation will last for five years unless revoked or suspended. Conditions may be imposed upon an individual's transporter authorisation at any time within this period if there are infringements of Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 on the protection of animals during transport and related operations or the Welfare of Animals (Transport) (Wales) Order 2007.
Anyone requiring an authorisation will need to submit an application. Anyone completing the application form should read the notes on the form, which explains what information is required in each section.
It is important to note that authorisations last for five years, unless revoked due to infringements of the legislation. Transporters need to re-apply every five years as there are no automatic renewals.
HOW TO APPLY
Application forms for both type 1 and type 2 journey authorisations are available on the GOV.UK website or in writing to:
Welfare in Transport Team, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Centre for International Trade, Eden Bridge House, Lowther Street, Carlisle, CA3 8DX, Tel: 03000 200301 (option 4, then option 3, then option 5), email: wit@apha.gov.uk.
CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCE / TRAINING OF DRIVERS AND ATTENDANTS
Farmers, transporters or attendants using road vehicles for transporting farm animals, poultry or horses in connection with an economic activity must have received appropriate training. They must also hold a certificate of competence issued by an independent body nominated by Welsh Government.
The certificate of competence training covers the following areas:
- protection of animals during transit
- animal physiology, animal behaviour and the concept of stress
- practical aspects of handling animals
- impact of driving behaviour on the welfare of the transported animals and on the quality of meat
- emergency care for animals
- safety considerations for personnel handling animals
Details of the independent body designated by the Welsh Government to undertake assessments for competence and award competence certificates are available on the Welsh Government website; the GOV.UK website contains information on training and competence certification.
ANIMAL TRANSPORT CERTIFICATES
Animal transport certificates (ATC) are required for all journeys of any species of farmed animal over any distance and duration.
Exemptions from this requirement include:
- journeys involving exported farm livestock or unregistered domestic equidae (horses) on journeys over eight hours; in these cases a journey log is required instead. The purpose of a journey log is to ensure such journeys are properly planned, with the required rest stops along the way, and without exceeding maximum journey times. The first section of the journey log must be submitted to the Welfare in Transport Team (contact details above) and a copy of the completed log must be submitted to the same office within a month of the journey's completion
- farmers transporting their own animals, by their own means of transport, on journeys of up to 50 km (about 31 miles) from their holding
The following information must be recorded on an ATC:
- origin and ownership of animals
- place of departure
- place of destination
- date and time of departure
- expected duration of journey
A template form can be found on the APHA website (see link on the top right of the page).
An animal movement licence form for sheep and goats (AML1) and pigs (eAML2 / haulier summary) may be used as an ATC for those animals providing all sections on the form are completed.
TRANSPORTING LIVESTOCK TO (OR THROUGH) THE EU
Since 1 January 2021, UK-issued transporter authorisations, certificates of competence and vehicle approvals are not valid for transporting animals from the UK to Member States of the EU. The EU no longer recognises UK-issued versions of these documents.
You need EU-issued documents to transport live animals:
- direct from the UK to EU Member States
- through the EU to a non-EU country
You should apply to an EU Member State where you have representation to get a:
- transporter authorisation
- certificate of competence
- vehicle approval certificate
You can use GB-issued transporter authorisations, certificates of competence, and vehicle approval certificates in Northern Ireland (NI).
You can use NI-issued transporter authorisations, certificates of competence, and vehicle approval certificates in GB.
To transport live animals from or through GB to the EU, you will need to apply for two journey logs:
- one issued and approved by whichever EU Member State is the first point of entry into the EU
- one issued and approved by APHA
For further information on documents to transport live animals, contact APHA's Welfare in Transport Team, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Centre for International Trade, Eden Bridge House, Lowther Street, Carlisle, CA3 8DX. Tel: 03000 200301 (option 4, then option 3, then option 5), email: wit@apha.gov.uk.
TRADING STANDARDS
For more information on the work of trading standards services - and the possible consequences of not abiding by the law - please see 'Trading standards: powers, enforcement and penalties'.
IN THIS UPDATE
New link added to a template animal transport certificate.
Last reviewed / updated: May 2022
Key legislation
Please note
This information is intended for guidance; only the courts can give an authoritative interpretation of the law.
The guide's 'Key legislation' links may only show the original version of the legislation, although some amending legislation is linked to separately where it is directly related to the content of a guide. Information on changes to legislation can be found on each link's 'More Resources' tab.
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