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New regs are on the way

10th October 1975
Page 50
Page 50, 10th October 1975 — New regs are on the way
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

by Les Oldridge, TEng (CE!), MIMI, AMIRTE THE Transit of Animals (Road and Rail) Order 1975 regulates the carriage of farm animals and horses and replaces, among other Acts and Orders, the Transit of Animals Order 1927; the Transit of Horses Order 1951 and the Transit of Calves Order 1963, about which I wrote in CM in 1970.

The new Order lays down detailed requirements with regard to vehicle construction and maintenance and contains measures designed to safeguard animal welfare during loading, unloading and carriage. " Animals " are defined as "cattle, sheep, swine, goats and horses." "Cattle" means bulls, cows, steers, heifers and calves" while the term " horse " includes "pony, ass, mule and hinny."

With regard to the construction of vehicles and receptacles the Order does ndt come into immediate effect: new vehicles will not be affected by the Order until August 1, 1976, and used ones until August 1980. Meantime, the old laws must be complied With.

Part I of Schedule 1 of the Order starts off by requiring that all vehicles be of substan • Itial design and so constructed and maintained so as to withstand the action of the weather and the weight of .any animal whildh may be thrown .against it.

Barriers

At intervals Of not more than 1 metre (3ft 3in) along the body length there must he fittings attached to the side of the vehicle to which partitions may be secured. Partitions must be of substantial design, and maintained so as to withstand the weight of any animal thrown against them. Gaps between the bottom of any partition and the floor of the vehicle must be constructed so that there will be no damage or injury to the limbs of animals. The requirement for fittings for securing partitions does not apply to a vehicle used exclusively for oartying horses where they face either to the front or rear of the vehicle during transit. Barriers must be provided to prevent animals from falling out of the vehicle when the ramp used for loading and unloading is in the lowered position. In horseboxes straps may be used instead of the barriers. Floors must have suitable floor battens or some other means of preventing animals from slipping during carriage. Loading ramps must also be flitted with foot battens and be desligneci so that when the ramp is lowered and the vehicle is on level ground the gradient of the ramp is not steeper than 4 in 7. Any Step at the top of the ramp must not exceed 21cm (8in) in height and any gap between the top of the ramp and the vehicle must not exceed 6orn (211n).

Double or treble-deckers must be provided with a suitable ramp or with suitable mechanical lifting gear (which must always be .carried on the .vehicle) dedigned to facilitate the movement of animals from one floor to an other. These ramps, like those mentioned earlier, must be fitted with foot battens. Side railings must he provided to prevent any animal from falling when using the ramp and it must be so designed and constructed to ensure that, when in use, the gradient is not steeper than 2 in 3 when the vehicle is on level ground.

Provisions must be made for adequate ventilation for every. animal on each floor. It must be possible to disinfect and cleanse: the vehicle as is prescribed by the Order.

I will deal with the disinfection and with other provisions of the Order in subsequent articles.

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