Legislation
Dossier: Climate control and space allowance
The legal requirements related to transport of pigs can be found in Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 on the protection of animals during transport and related operations.
The requirements presented here are particularly related to pig welfare concerning climate control and space allowance during transport.
Accordingly, they are structured around the following four areas, although they do not always uniquely associate with one area:
- General conditions, plus documentation & planning
- Climate control
- Climate control, long journeys
- Space allowance
Listed requirements are citing the literal text of the regulation and are not comprehensive. Moreover, there might be stricter national legislation in place. A more detailed description on the specific requirements (as paraphrases from the regulation) is given in the review of climate control and space allowance during transport of pigs.
General conditions
General conditions {Article 3}:
“No person shall transport animals or cause animals to be transported in a way likely to cause injury or undue suffering to them. (...).”
“(a) all necessary arrangements have been made in advance to minimise the length of the journey and meet animals' needs during the journey;”
“(b) the animals are fit for the journey;”
Read more
General conditions {Article 3} continued:
“(e) the personnel handling animals are trained or competent as appropriate for this purpose and carry out their tasks without using violence. (...);”
“(h) water, feed and rest are offered to the animals at suitable intervals (...).”
Transport documentation: “2. The transporter shall make the documentation {in the means of transport} provided for in paragraph 1 available to the competent authority upon request.” {Article 4}
Planning obligations: “4. For long journeys between Member States (...), transporters and organisers shall comply with the provisions on the journey log set out in Annex II.” {Article 5}
Climate control
Requirements associated with climate comfort:
Vehicle {Annex I, Chapter II, Article 1.1}:
“The means of transport, containers and their fittings shall be designed, constructed, maintained and operated so as to: (...) (b) protect the animals from inclement weather, extreme temperatures and adverse changes in climatic conditions;
Read more
Vehicle {Annex I, Chapter II, Article 1.1} continued:
(...) (e) ensure that air quality and quantity appropriate to the species transported can be maintained; (...).”
Planning obligations: “Organisers shall ensure that for each journey: a) the welfare of the animals is not compromised (...); and the weather conditions are taken into account;” {Article 5, point 3a}
Ventilation: “Sufficient ventilation shall be provided to ensure that the needs of the animals are fully met taking into account in particular the number and type of the animals to be transported and the expected weather conditions during the journey. (...). {Annex I, Chapter III, Article 2.6}
Climate control (long journeys)
Further requirements addressing climate control during long journeys (> 8 hours) {Annex I, Chapter VI}:
Range of temperatures: “Ventilation systems (...) are capable of maintaining a range of temperatures from 5 oC to 30 oC within the means of transport, for all animals, with a +/- 5 oC tolerance, depending on the outside temperature.” {Article 3.1}
Read more
Roof: “The means of transport shall be equipped with a roof of light-colour and be properly insulated.” {Article 1.1}
Floor and Bedding: “Animals shall be provided with appropriate bedding or equivalent material which guarantees their comfort appropriate to the species, the number of animals being transported, the journey time, and the weather. (...).” { Article 1.2}
Ventilation: “The ventilation system must be capable of ensuring even distribution throughout with a minimum airflow of nominal capacity of 60 m3/h/KN of payload.(...).” {Article 3.2)
Temperature monitoring system: “Means of transport by road must be fitted with a temperature monitoring system as well as with a means of recording such data. (...).” {Article 3.3}
Temperature warning system: “Means of transport by road must be fitted with a warning system in order to alert the driver when the temperature in the compartments where animals are located reaches the maximum or the minimum limit.” {Article 3.4}
Space allowance
Requirements associated with space allowance:
Space allowance: “All pigs must at least be able to lie down and stand up in their natural position. In order to comply with these minimum requirements, the loading density for pigs of around 100 kg should not exceed 235 kg/m2. The breed, size and physical condition of the pigs may mean that the minimum required surface area given above has to be increased; a maximum increase of 20% may also be required depending on the meteorological conditions and the journey time.” {Annex I, Chapter VII, D. Pigs}
Read more
Floor area: “(g) sufficient floor area and height is provided for the animals, appropriate to their size and the intended journey;” {Article 3}
Vehicle: “The means of transport, containers and their fittings shall be designed, constructed, maintained and operated so as to: (a) avoid injury and suffering and to ensure the safety of the animals;” {Annex I, Chapter II, Article 1.1}
“Sufficient space shall be provided inside the animals' compartment and at each of its levels to ensure that there is adequate ventilation above the animals (...), without on any account hindering their natural movement.” {Annex I, Chapter II, Article 1.2}
Floor and Bedding: “Animals shall be provided with appropriate bedding or equivalent material which guarantees their comfort appropriate to the species, the number of animals being transported, the journey time, and the weather. (...).” {Annex I, Chapter VI, Article 1.2}