INVESTIGATION INTO TRANSPORTS OF LIVE ANIMALS FROM ...

Transport of pigs from Spain to Italy, 23. - 25.01.2006
3. Obligatory unloading at staging point not programmed – route plan not duly drawn up
regarding journey times and rest periods
It was not programmed to unload and rest the pigs for at least 24 hours at an authorized staging
point after a maximum of 24 hours of transport even though the length of the journey required this.
No programmed staging point was indicated on the route plan.
The actual duration of the transport (44 hours) proves that the estimated journey time of 23 hours
as indicated on route plan and health certificate was entirely unrealistic.
This constitutes a violation of Art. 5, section A, paragraph 2, lit. b and lit. d, first indent of
Council Directive 91/628 EEC as amended by Council Directive 95/29 EC, as well as a
violation of Art. 3, paragraph 1, lit. aa, second indent of Council Directive 91/628 EEC as
amended by Council Directive 95/29 EC in connection with Chapter VII, point 4, lit. b and
Chapter VII, point 5 of the Annex.
4. Maximum permitted journey time exceeded
The pigs were transported for a total of 44 hours.
The transporter did not unload the pigs after the maximum permitted journey time of 24 hours at
an approved staging point for the required rest period of at least 24 hours.
This constitutes a violation of Art. 3 paragraph 1, lit. aa, second indent of Council Directive
91/628 EEC as amended by Council Directive 95/29 EC in connection with Chapter VII, point
4, lit b and point 5 of the Annex.
Please note: Chapter VII, point 7 of the annex to Council Directive 91/628 EEC as amended
by Council Directive 95/29 EC is not applicable, as the permitted journey time of 24 hours
was already exceeded, when the livestock truck embarked the ferry at the port of Piombino.
Therefore is was legally required that the pigs be unloaded and rested at an authorized
staging point before embarking the ferry.
5. No continuous access to water
For transport of pigs continuous access to water is required, if the journey time exceeds 8 hours.
This requirement was not respected as the water system of the truck was found not to be in
working order for at least 9 hours.
This constitutes a violation of Art. 3, paragraph 1, lit. aa, second indent of Council Directive
91/628 EEC as amended by Council directive 95/29 EC in connection with Chapter VII, point
4, lit. b of the annex, as well as a violation of Art. 1 of Council Regulation (EC) 411/98 in
connection with number 6.2 of the annex.
6. Exceeded loading density
The journey from Spain to Sardinia (Italy) includes a sea transport. The space requirements for
sea transport of pigs are considerably higher compared to road transport. Legislation does not
specify the length of the sea transport. Calculated on the basis of an average weight of 100 kg per
pig and the surface indicated on the articulated trailer itself only 105 pigs (89,1 m² : 0,85 m²)
should have been loaded during sea transport. Therefore during sea transport the vehicle was
overloaded by 95 pigs. This calculation is in favour of the transporter, as the average weight of
the pigs was probably more than 100 kg.
The loading density for road transport was also exceeded; on the basis of the surface as indicated
on the articulated trailer itself each pig had a surface of 0,4455 m² at his/her disposal. This is the
approximate minimum requirement for transports by road. In consideration of the long journey time
the surface per pig should have been increased – as it is required by legislation.
This constitutes a violation of Art. 3, paragraph 1, lit. aa, first indent of Council Directive
91/628 EEC as amended by Council Directive 95/29 EC in connection with Chapter VI,
section D of the annex.
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Place and date of report: Freiburg, 04.03.2006 © Copyright Animals’ Angels e.V. ::::::
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