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Beast hauliers to register

12th December 1991
Page 8
Page 8, 12th December 1991 — Beast hauliers to register
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

• Livestock and poultry hauliers will have to be registered with the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food (MAFF) under a new EC directive on animal transport.

The transport of sheep on the open top deck of a transporter will be banned, but some of the EC's animal welfare requirements may help drivers with the hours law and roadside checks.

The directive, which has to be implemented by 1 January 1993, covers the transport of all animals and birds on domestic and international EC transport.

But there are exemptions for the transport of pets by travellers; journeys of 50km or less between the places of loading and unloading; and the seasonal transport by farmers in their own agricultural vehicles otherwise than for profit.

MAFF objected to the registration plan when it was brought up during negotiations on the animal transport proposal submitted by the EC Commission in July 1989. A spokesman says that it was an unnecessary piece of bureaucracy which would not achieve anything: the ministry is now considering how to approach the requirement and will issue proposals next spring.

Registration is designed to allow the authorities to check that the directive is complied with. It is not intended as a quality control measure as there are no criteria for registration and no provision for cancelling an operator's registration.

Vehicle construction requirements in the directive are not as detailed as those in UK legislation, but it does stipulate that vehicles must have a roof which ensures effective protection against the weather, This will end the UK exemption for sheep transporters.

However, there is also a requirement for animals to be transported to their destination without delay, regardless of drivers' normal rest and periods. This could be used by a driver to avoid an hours conviction.


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