European Convention for the Protection of Animals During International Transport

 

Chapter I

Article 1

1. Each Contracting Party shall apply the provisions
governing the international transport of animals
contained in this Convention.

2. For the purposes of this Convention international
transport is understood to be any movement which
involves the crossing of a frontier. Frontier traffic
shall, however, be excluded.

3. The competent authorities of the country of dispatch
shall decide whether the transport is in conformity
with the provisions of this Convention. Nevertheless,
the country of destination or intermediate countries
may dispute whether any particular transport conforms
with the provisions of this Convention. Such a
consignment shall, however, be detained only when it is
strictly necessary for the welfare of the animals.

4. Each Contracting Party take the necessary measures
to avoid or reduce to a minimum the suffering of
animals in cases when strikes or other unforeseeable
circumstances in its territory impede the strict
application of the provisions of this Convention. It
will be guided for this purpose by the principles set
out in this Convention.

Article 2

This Convention applies to the international transport
of:

a) domestic solipeds and domestic animals of the
bovine, ovine, caprine and porcine species (Chapter
II);

b) domestic birds and domestic rabbits (Chapter III);

c) domestic dogs and domestic cats (Chapter IV);

d) other mammals and birds (Chapter V);

e) cold-blooded animals (Chapter VI).

Chapter II

Domestic Solipeds and Domestic Animals Of The Bovine,
Ovine, Caprine and Porcine Species

A. General Provisions

Article 3

1. Before animals are loaded for international
transport they shall be inspected by an authorised
veterinary officer of the exporting country who shall
satisfy himself that they are fit for transportation.
For the purposes of this Convention an authorised
veterinary officer is understood to be a veterinary
officer nominated by the competent authority.

2. Loading shall be carried out under arrangements
approved by an authorised veterinary officer.

3. The authorised veterinary officer shall issue a
certificate which identifies the animals, states that
they are fit for transportation, and, where possible,
records the registration number of the means of
transport and the type of vehicle used.

4. In certain cases determined by agreement between the
Contracting Parties concerned the provisions of this
Article need not apply.

Article 4

Animals likely to give birth during carriage or having
given birth during the preceding 48 hours shall not be
considered fit for transportation.

Article 5

The authorised veterinary officer of the exporting
country, country of transit, or importing country may
prescribe a period of rest, at a place determined by
him, during which the animals shall receive the
necessary care.

Article 6

1. Animals shall be provided with adequate space and,
unless special conditions require to the contrary, room
to lie down.

2. The means of transport and containers shall be
constructed so as to protect animals against inclement
weather conditions and marked differences in climate
conditions. Ventilation and air space shall be adapted
to the conditions of transport and be appropriate for
the species of animals carried.

3. Containers in which animals are transported shall be
marked with a symbol indicating the presence of live
animals and a sign indicating the upright position.
Containers shall be easy to clean, escape-proof and
shall be so constructed as to ensure the safety of the
animals. Containers shall also allow for the inspection
and care of the animals and shall be stowed in a way
which does not interfere with ventilation. During
transport and handling, containers shall always be kept
upright and shall not be exposed to severe jolts or
shaking.

4. During transport animals shall be offered water and
appropriate food at suitable intervals. Animals shall
not be left more than 24 hours without being fed and
watered. This period may, however, be extended if the
journey to the destination where the animals are
unloaded can be completed within a reasonable period.

5. Solipeds shall wear halters during transport. This
provision need not apply to unbroken animals.

6. When animals are tied the ropes or other attachments
used shall be strong enough not to break during the
transport under normal conditions, and long enough to
allow the animals, if necessary, to lie down and to eat
and drink. Bovines shall not be tied by the horns.

7. Solipeds, unless in individual stalls, shall have
their hind feet unshod.

8. Bulls over 18 months should preferably be tied. They
shall be fitted with a nose-ring for handling purposes
only.

Article 7

1. When animals of various species travel in the same
truck, vehicle, vessel, or aircraft, they shall be
segregated according to species. Furthermore special
measures shall be taken to avoid adverse reactions
which might result from the transport in the same
consignment of species naturally hostile to each other.
When animals of different ages are carried in the same
truck, vehicle, vessel, or aircraft adult and young
animals shall be kept separate; this restriction shall
not, however, apply to females travelling with their
young which they suckle. With regard to bovine, soliped
and porcine animals, mature uncastrated males shall be
separated from females. Adult boars shall also be
separated from each other; this shall also apply to
stallions.

2. In compartments in which animals are transported
goods shall not be loaded which could prejudice the
welfare of the animals.

Article 8

Suitable equipment for loading and unloading of
animals such as bridges, ramps, or gangways shall be
used. The flooring of this equipment shall be
constructed so as to prevent slipping, and the
equipment shall be provided with lateral protection if
necessary. Animals shall not be lifted by the head,
horns or legs during loading or unloading.

Article 9

The floor of trucks, vehicles, aircraft, or containers
shall be sufficiently strong to bear the weight of the
animals being transported, close-boarded, and so
constructed as to prevent slipping. The floor shall be
covered with an adequate amount of litter to absorb
excrements unless these can be dealt with in a
different way presenting at least the same advantages.

Article 1O

In order to ensure the necessary care of the animals
during transport, consignments of livestock shall be
accompanied by an attendant, except in the following
cases:

a) where livestock is consigned in containers which are
secured;

b) where the transporter undertakes to assume the
functions of the attendant;

c) where the sender has appointed an agent to care for
the animals at appropriate staging points.

Article 11

1. The attendant or sender’s agent shall look after the
animals, feed and water them, and, if necessary, milk
them.

2. Cows in milk shall be milked at intervals of not
more than 12 hours.

3. To enable the attendant to provide this care, he
shall, if necessary, have available a suitable means of
lighting.

Author: international

Mentioned in these Entries

Conventions: Chronological Index 1951-1970, Environment and Wildlife conventions, European Convention for the Protection of Animals During International Transport 2, European Convention for the Protection of Animals During International Transport 3, Flora and Fauna – Biodiversity conventions, country.