New Regulation and Qualifications for Transporting Animals by Road.
Frequently Asked Questions
Text in italics is directly quoted from the Defra document:
Animals During Transport
Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 on the protection of animals during transport and the Welfare of Animals (Transport)
(England) Order 2006 - Guidance Notes
General information on the new Regulation and who is affected
1. What is the new law with regard to the welfare of animals during transport?
A new EU Regulation 1/2005 came into force on 5 January 2007.The Welfare of Animals (Transport) (England) Order 2006 and parallel legislation in Scotland, Wales and N.Ireland implement the EU Regulation in the UK.
2. Who is affected by the new legislation?
The definitive answer of who is affected is determined by Defra, not NPTC. For more details, the Defra website has a lot of information. Below is a link to the website.
http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/welfare/farmed/transport/pdf/watoguidance191206.pdf
The following are some extracts from the guidance.
“1. SCOPE, APPLICATION AND EXEMPTIONS
Scope
1.1 The Regulation covers the transport of all live vertebrate animals (but excluding man) within the EU Community that takes place in connection with an economic activity. The vertebrate family includes all creatures which are mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians or fish.
1.2. Those involved in an economic activity will include farmers, livestock hauliers, those who move horses in connection with professional riding, livery, stabling, those involved in commercial pet breeding or racing (e.g. dog racing), or those moving animals used in films, zoos and leisure parks.
1.3 The Regulation does not apply to the transport of animals:
• Where the transport is not in connection with an economic activity; or
• Transport to or from veterinary practices or clinics under veterinary advice; or
• When the animal is an individual animal, is accompanied by its owner or other responsible person and is fit for the intended journey; or
• Where the animals are pet animals accompanied by their owner on a journey.”
“1.8 As a rough rule of thumb we would expect an owner or transporter carrying his or another person’s animals for profit, or as part of a business, to be covered by the Regulation. We would not expect the transport of pet animals by their owners to and from events such as shows, even when they win minor cash prizes, to be covered. The presence of gambling at an event would not in itself make the transport of animals to it an economic activity.
1.9 Many people who keep animals as a hobby exhibit animals, occasionally breed them (e.g. ‘cat fancy’ breeders) and sometimes sell or exchange surplus animals. Frequently, these animals may be transported in the family car or even on public transport. We have therefore concluded that these hobby breeders are excluded from scope where their income source does not exceed the expenses of the hobby. However, this exclusion does not apply to hobby farmers who deal with farm livestock and poultry.”
Specific examples of FAQs regarding who is affected
3. “I am being told that transport to shows, slaughter and private horses are exempt, but race horses are not.”
Race horses are not exempt. There is a test for transporting horses and this includes registered horses and unregistered horses. If horses are being taken to slaughter, as an economic activity, then again they are not exempt. The detail of what is included and excluded with equine is quite complicated. Clarification for specific cases should be sought from the Defra website. We have developed some guidance for each species on the main requirements of the regulation with Defra and NFU and these will be available on our website shortly.
4. “I know that showing is exempt, certainly at present, but what about transporting deer, thinking of venison, and even some exotic species from zoos?”
At present, none of these fall within the legislative requirement to hold a certificate of competence and we have not therefore produced tests for them. If Defra decide to extend what is covered we will of course produce an appropriate test but it will be a separate complete test.
Although the legislation in general covers transport of all vertebrates, the requirement to hold a certificate of competence currently extends to “farmed livestock” and horses but only the ‘regular’ livestock i.e. cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and poultry. NB, the test for goats will be available in August. Llamas, ostrich and deer are not included but a separate test for game birds has been developed following a s request from the game bird industry to not include them with general poultry.
5. “Colleges wish to know where they stand with exotics being moved to and from suppliers and school demonstrations.”
Exotics are covered by the Regulation (as are all vertebrate animals) if they are being moved as an economic activity, but there is not at present a requirement to hold a certificate of competence to transport exotic species.
6. “What people who take dogs every week to shows and competitions?”
The legislation does not require people transporting any dogs to hold a certificate of competence. As to if and when transporting dogs falls within the regulation remit at all, i.e. if it is deemed to be an economic activity, please refer to section 1 of the Defra guidance.
7. “If I fall under the requirements of the Regulation, what do I have to do?”
The regulation makes a requirement for vehicle standards, accommodation, records and authorisation amongst other things.
The “authorisation” is administered through Defra and is not connected to the certificate of competence. The requirement to hold a Certificate of Competence is an additional requirement which is specific to certain species:
“3.1 From 5 January 2007, anyone transporting animals on journeys of over 65 kilometres (approximately 40 miles) as part of an economic activity must hold a valid transporter authorisation to do so.
3.2 There are two types of Authorisation;
• a short journey Authorisation for journeys over 65km and up to and including 8 hours duration.
• a long journey Authorisation which covers all journeys, including those over 8 hours duration.
• Transporters must either carry their Authorisation certificate or a copy of it whenever transporting animals.
• Authorisation Certificates will be issued in GB by the State Veterinary Service (SVS).”
“Certificates of Competence (From 5 January 2008)
3.11 From 5 January 2008 applicants transporting horses, livestock or poultry by road (only) over 65km must hold valid certificates of competence for drivers and attendants of road vehicles. Authorisation certificates issued before January
2008 will continue to be valid provided drivers or attendants holding relevant Certificates of Competence carry them (see chapter on Training and Competence Certification of Drivers of Livestock Vehicles and Attendants).
3.12 Transporters of species other than horses, livestock and poultry do not have to hold certificates of competence.”
8. “What are the qualifications available to demonstrate competence?”
The NPTC Level 2 Certificate of Competence in the Transport of Animals by Road (short journeys) is for people transporting animals on journeys over 65km and up to 8 hours duration, in connection with an economic activity.
The NPTC Level 2 Certificate of competence in the Long Distance Transport of Animals by Road is for people transporting animals for longer than 8 hours duration in connection with an economic activity.
9. “Where can I find the assessment schedules?”
These are located on the NPTC website in the ‘assessment schedule’ section.
10. “Are they species specific?”
No. There is one schedule. The unit is divided into two sections – a) cattle, sheep, pigs, horses and goats and b) poultry and game birds.
11. What is involved with the qualifications?
The ‘short’ journey qualification consists of one compulsory knowledge based unit. It is assessed by a GOLA (computer based multiple choice) test or can be taken on a one-to-one basis with an NPTC independent assessor.
Candidates need to register against the species that they transport:
- Cattle
- Cattle & Sheep
- Sheep
- Pigs
- Poultry
- Goats
- Horses
- Game Birds
Defra have confirmed to us that candidates need to be assessed in each of the species that they transport. So if you usually only transport cattle and sheep, but occasionally transport horses, you will need to be assessed against all three species.
The ‘long’ journey qualification consists of one compulsory knowledge based unit (assessed as the short journey unit above, but with additional knowledge requirements for those going over 8 hours). It also has a compulsory practical unit that will be assessed on a one-to-one basis with an NPTC independent assessor. If the candidate also drives the vehicle, there is a third unit that assesses their driving skill in relation to animal welfare.
Assessment – GOLA for unit 1 of short journeys and unit 1 of long journeys
12. What is involved with the GOLA test?
The GOLA test consists of 27 multiple choice questions. The pass mark is 21 out of 27. Candidates are allowed 1 hour to complete the test.
Candidates may take in a calculator and a pen and paper, provided by the assessment centre. They may not use the calculator function on their phone or scrap paper they have with them.
13. At present how long is the test, and how much longer is it to do an extra unit i.e. do you have to go through the whole thing again?
In the pilot’s that we have run so far, most candidates took 20-30 minutes to complete. The current maximum time is 1 hour but it is unlikely that many candidates will need that long. As each species is a completely separate test, the candidate will have an additional hour to complete it. However, if the tests are scheduled accordingly, there is no reason why the candidate couldn’t move from one straight into the next rather than wait the full hour.
14. Will candidates be able to take two tests at the same time?
Yes one after the other but not simultaneously.
15. How much does the GOLA test cost?
NPTC charges the assessment centre £17.50 per species which covers the cost of registration which includes the GOLA test, the certification and ID card. However, the assessment centre will add their own addition costs to cover administration, organisation, resources etc.
Assessment – one-to-one for unit 1 of short journeys and unit 1 of long journeys
16. What is involved with the one-to-one assessment for the unit 1?
If candidates cannot access the computer based (GOLA) test for whatever reason, an NPTC independent assessor may provide the unit 1 assessment verbally. This will involve being asked questions based on the assessment schedule (covering the same areas as the GOLA test but not in multiple choice format).
17. What must the assessors hold?
To assess on a one to one basis for unit 1 the assessor must have attended an assessor standard setting day for the qualification, hold the unit 1 of the long journey qualification themselves and be NPTC approved assessor for the livestock suite.
18. Where are the assessor guidance and the CARF?
These are located on the assessor website.
19. How and where will the assessment take place?
The assessment can take place either at the farm or yard, at market or at a suitable venue organised by the assessment centre. It does not have to take place in the presence of animals being transported, or the transport vehicle, but candidates might feel more at ease if it is.
20. What are the expected and maximum permitted times?
For unit 1, we expect 45 mins-1 hour, with maximum time of 1.5 hours.
Assessment – practical one-to-one for units 2 and 3 of long journeys
22. What is involved with the practical assessment for the units 2 and 3?
This will be assessed as with our other certificates of competence. The candidates will be asked questions orally about planning journeys and the requirements for transport. They will be required to undertake various practical tasks under observation, such as checking the vehicle for suitability, assessing animals for fitness to travel, handling and loading. Unloading and post journey requirements are assessed by underpinning knowledge. For unit 3, the candidate will undertake a short journey of 3-4 miles and will be assessed on their ability to take due care for animal welfare during transit, such as consideration when moving off and cornering.
23. What must the assessors hold?
To assess the long journey qualification, the assessor must hold the long journey qualification (including the GOLA test for the species they are assessing), have attended the assessor standard setting for the qualification and be an NPTC approved assessor for the livestock suite. For unit 3, the assessor will need to hold the relevant driving license for the vehicle being used in the assessment (for example an LGV).
24. Where are the assessor guidance and the CARF?
These are located on the assessor website.
25. How and where will the assessment take place?
The assessment could take place either at the farm or yard, at market or at a suitable venue organised by the assessment centre. It does have to take place in the presence of live animals and the transport vehicle. For the driving unit (3) the animals must be being transported for genuine purposes but it does not need to be part of a “long journey” (i.e. greater than 8 hours duration)
26. What are the expected and maximum permitted times?
Assessment of the practical units (2&3) is expected to normally take 1-1.5 hours.
Guidance
27. Is there any simple guidance available on the requirements of the regulation
Yes. We have been working with the NFU to produce a set of guidance documents for candidates (a training aid). These are available on our website to help everyone. The full Defra guidance is available on their website. NFU also have guidance of their own.
