Scottish Government

Environment and Rural Affairs Department: Agriculture Group

scott.mcdowell@scotland.gsi.gov.uk, http://www.scotland.gov.uk

To Exporters of Farm Livestock and Horses

Dear Sir/Madam

WELFARE OF ANIMALS (TRANSPORT) ORDER 1997

ADVICE ON THE TRANSPORT OF ANIMALS IN HOT WEATHER

One of the major threats to animal welfare during transport (particularly during the summer months) is the exposure to high temperatures and humidity. Although relatively unusual within Great Britain this is a very real threat in the warmer parts of the European Union. Failure on the part of some European transporters to take account of high temperatures when planning journeys and to have adequate contingency plans in place can contribute, at worse, to the death of animals.

Divisional Veterinary Managers (DVMs) will not approve Route Plans when they have good reason to believe that the animals will be subjected during the journey to ambient conditions which the Department considers could cause unnecessary suffering or death. The legal position is that European Union Council Regulation 411/98 sets a maximum permitted temperature of 35ºC inside animal compartments of a vehicle. There is a need for a temperature differential between inside and outside a naturally ventilated vehicle for air exchange to occur (in windless conditions) the internal temperature will always be at least 5° C warmer than outside. Transporters should note that the ambient temperatures in parts of southern Europe are likely to exceed 30° C during the coming weeks.

However, it is likely that temperature/humidity combinations that will compromise animal welfare will be encountered before 30° C ambient is experienced. A combination of high temperature and high humidity within the animal compartment will cause distress and even death. Experience shows that the relative humidity needs to be considered when the temperature is 24ºC and above, because animals increasingly rely on losing body heat by evaporation. As a guide, if the outside temperature/humidity combinations approach the following values, every effort should be made to increase the rate of ventilation and airflow through the vehicle.

The risk may be increased when vehicles are carried on RO-RO ferries especially when the ventilation or stowage arrangements are poor.

Transporters should seek information about anticipated climatic conditions for the journey at the planning stage, and again shortly before departing from Great Britain. If temperature/humidity combinations likely to adversely affect the animals are anticipated, transporters should take appropriate action.

Preventative action could include:

Ensuring that a vehicle fitted with effective forced ventilation is used

Increasing the space allowance for the animals by, at least, 30%

Using vehicles with fewer tiers and increased headroom

Rescheduling the journey or planning it to take advantage of cooler conditions at night

Contingency planning, which should be in place for every journey, becomes particularly important in hot conditions as delays, which might be relatively insignificant under normal conditions, can become critical very quickly.

This letter is being copied to the European Commission and to the competent authorities in other Member States who, like us, have powers to interrupt journeys and take enforcement action if the welfare of animals during transport is, or is thought likely to be, prejudiced.

Yours faithfully

Scott McDowell

Animal Health and Welfare Branch