A new DVD, Be Legal – A Guide to Transporting Animals By Road, offers practical information and advice on how to comply with the law. It will also be valueable to anyone preparing for certification, says producer animal-i.

The company produced and financed the DVD because the livestock industry had 'little else to go on' when it came down the complying with the law. "Unfortunately people involved in animal transport are not as clued-up with the rules and regulations governing animal transport; but that's through no fault of their own, there's a lot to take on board," said Miriam Parker MBE, scientist at animal-i and well-respected investigator of livestock transport and slaughter facilities.

Many of Ms Parker's findings have been implemented into abattoir lairage and handling facilities and subsequently have had major impact improving livestock welfare at slaughter. She hopes that this DVD will improve animal welfare in transit by helping farmers, and others, understand the law and how they can implement the regulations, practically.

"The problem is that information and advice on how to comply with the law is scarce and many people who move animals often do so unaware that they could be in breech of it," she explained.

Practical attitudes

The 'Be Legal' DVD aims to tackle this at a practical level. Launched at the Royal Show today, the response has been phenomenal. Farmers shown the footage were surprised by the standards of competence required to become certified. Many were not as good as they thought they were.

"But it's not just a case of passing a test for a certificate, this DVD is aimed at helping farmers understand animal behaviour and why they react as they do. If we can get people to look at transport and handling from the animals perspective, they usually understand and can then interpret their needs in a workable way. Its the application of science onto practice," explains Ms Parker.

The DVD provides comprehensive guidance on the EU regulations for Animal Transport in Europe, which came into force in January. It delivers information in an easy to understand form for people to select the information that is applicable to them. Animal-i says it gives them a workable understanding of how the Regulations apply to them - whether they need to go forward for formal assessment or not.

A huge amount of research lies behind the DVD yet the producers have managed to retain a structured, easy to digest, interactive training programme. It outlines the principles and practice required to comply with the 2007 regulations and certification requirements. It also has a link to an on-line assessment that can be used to test personal competence.

The DVD comprises eight sections: planning and documentation, fitness for travel,vehicle requirements, loading and unloading, animal handling procedures, in transit issues, space allowances, water/feed/rest periods.

It evaluates individual species, cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, horses, deer and poultry, and details information on physiology, behaviour and flight zones.

Vehicle specifications are also discussed along with rules governing transport distances/times for journeys in the UK and overseas.

The DVD is available from animal-i priced £19.99.
Click here for further details