CERT OF COMPETENCY TO TRANSPORT HORSES

Posted in Archive 07/02/2008 09:20:34

New UK animal welfare legislation requires that those who transport horses in connection with an economic activity* in, within or from Northern Ireland or UK (i.e. a business) on journeys over 65kms MUST hold a Certificate of Competence, such as a Certificate in Equine Transport (CET) or Advanced Certificate in Equine Transport (ACET), by 5 January 2008.

Those who fall within the scope of the new regulations are also required to have valid 'Transporter Authorisation' (forms available from DEFRA) and, if travelling horses on journeys over 8 hours, must ensure that their vehicle(s) has been inspected and approved by DEFRA.

Who is affected by the legislation?

- Racing (licensed trainers, point-to-point trainers, pre-training/rehabilitation etc)

- Breeding (studs)

- Sport Horses (eventing, show jumping, dressage, showing etc)

- Horse Transport (incl. foreign businesses operating in the UK).

Are there any exemptions?

There are no 'grandfather rights', but DEFRA's 'Single-Animal Exemption' can allow certain journeys to be exempt from the legislation so long as an animal being transported is a single animal accompanied by either its owner or another responsible person. This 1:1 ratio can apply for up to FOUR horses being accompanied by FOUR responsible persons.

NB: Total journey time is based on the 'round-trip', unless one has stopped at a destination for over 48hrs before making a return journey. 'Static' time spent at a destination, e.g. Racemeeting, does not contribute to total journey time.

Some headlines applying include:-

1. The law refers to animals being moved for "economic activities". This may exclude people who own up to 2 horses purely for leisure activities. Anyone training young horses or being rewarded for competing - through remuneration of any sort - would be expected to be deemed as 'economic activities'.

2. It applies to journeys over 65 kms with additional requirements applied for journeys in excess of 8 hours duration - unless there is a 48 hour break from travelling. This accumulates from loading first animal to unloading last.

3. As with most EU laws there are many grey areas, and each state may take their own interpretation in these areas - i.e what are economic activities?

4. Riders travelling to Portugal now need to have this as of 5th Jan 2008. The UK Government have put the date back to April within the UK boundaries only.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND - REGULATION CHANGES

The lorries used for transporting horses by the Minister of Defence are currently going through the necessary modifications to come in line with new legal requirements to transport horses in the Republic of Ireland.

Drivers of Horses in Transit also have to have completed a relevant course.

Full details on requirements can be obtained from the Department of Agriculture. Their email address is transport@agriculture.gov.ie and their phone number is 01 5953400.