Article 9 Accompaniment of vertebrate animals by competent persons

Any transporter who transports vertebrate animals on a journey of over 50 km shall ensure that the persons to whom he entrusts the animals includes at least one person who has either—

qualifying him to handle and transport vertebrate animals and to administer, if necessary, appropriate care, and who has sufficient knowledge of and abilities in the competencies set out in Schedule 8 to enable him to safeguard the welfare of the animals being transported.

Paragraphs (3) to (5) below shall only apply in relation to a journey beginning after 1st July 1998 which involves the transport of cattle, sheep, pigs, goats or horses, either by road vehicle for a journey lasting 8 hours or more, or by another means of transport irrespective of the length of the journey.

In the case of a person who has specific training, that person shall have a qualification relating to the welfare of animals during transport approved by the Minister.

In the case of a person who has practical experience equivalent to specific training, that person shall have been assessed, using a method approved by the Minister, to ensure that that person has the necessary ability, competence and knowledge qualifying him to handle and transport and, if necessary, administer appropriate care to the animals being transported, and the result of that assessment recorded in writing and a copy given to the person who has been assessed.

The transporter shall keep a copy of the record of the assessment carried out under the preceding paragraph throughout the time that the person is engaged by him on journeys accompanying animals, and for a period of 6 months thereafter and shall produce it on demand to an inspector.

In the case of a transporter authorised in another member State, it shall be sufficient that the person accompanying the animals has satisfied the requirements on competence of that member State.