Animal Transport to the UK: Documents and Records You need

Transporting livestock and pets requires careful planning, adherence to regulations, and a deep commitment to animal welfare. Whether you're transporting animals for yourself or a third party, it’s essential to ensure every step of the journey meets the highest standards of care and compliance. 

At JCS Livestock, we specialize in providing top-notch Livestock transportation services tailored to the specific needs of owners.

Transporter Authorisation

If you transport animals over 65km by air, road, rail, or sea in Great Britain (England, Scotland, and Wales), you must have a UK-issued transporter authorisation. This is a critical requirement to ensure the welfare of animals during transit.

  • Type 1 Authorisation: For journeys over 65km and up to 8 hours.
  • Type 2 Authorisation: For journeys over 8 hours.

You can apply for transporter authorisation through the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA). Remember, applications can take up to 10 working days to process, so it's best to submit yours well in advance.

Certificate of Competence

Transporting animals over 65km by road necessitates a certificate of competence. This certificate ensures that the transporter has the necessary skills and knowledge to handle animals humanely and safely. The certificate is required for transporting:

  • Cattle, sheep, pigs, or goats
  • Horses or other equines
  • Poultry

Both the transporter and any attendant responsible for the animals' welfare during the journey must hold a certificate of competence. This certification can be obtained through accredited providers such as City & Guilds Land Based Services, Lantra, and 1st4sport (for horses and equines only).

Certificate of Vehicle Approval

Vehicles used for transporting animals must meet specific standards to ensure animal welfare. For road transport, a certificate of vehicle approval is required for:

  • Journeys over 12 hours within Great Britain
  • Journeys over 8 hours to any other country

Certifying bodies such as Logistics UK and NSF can provide the necessary vehicle inspections and certificates. Ensure that you carry a copy of this certificate during transport and keep it available for inspection.

Animal Transport Certificate

Maintaining accurate records is crucial. An animal transport certificate must detail the animals’ origin, ownership, place of departure, date and time of departure, intended place of destination, and expected duration of the journey. This certificate must be carried during transport and kept for at least six months after the journey ends.

Navigation System

For long journeys, a navigation system is essential. Vehicles transporting animals over 12 hours (within Great Britain) or over 8 hours (to any other country) must have a navigation system that records:

  • Geographical position of the vehicle
  • Departure and arrival times
  • Stops and their durations
  • Loading and unloading activities
  • Transporter’s details and authorisation number
  • Number of animals injured or deceased during the journey, with reasons

Records from the navigation system must be kept for at least three years.

Ensuring Animal Welfare

Adhering to these guidelines is not just about compliance; it’s about ensuring the well-being of the animals in your care. At JCS Livestock and Pet Transport, we take animal welfare seriously and are committed to providing the best possible care during transport. Our experienced team is well-versed in all regulations and ensures that every journey is conducted with the utmost care and professionalism.

Ready to transport your livestock and pets with the best in the business? Contact JCS Livestock Transport today!

Original Source: Gov.Uk

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