ASSESSMENT OF PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE IN THE HANDLING, TRANSPORT AND CARE OF ANIMALS GUIDANCE TO EMPLOYERS

Transcription

1 ASSESSMENT OF PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE IN THE HANDLING, TRANSPORT AND CARE OF ANIMALS GUIDANCE TO EMPLOYERS ASSESSMENT OF PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE IN THE HANDLING, TRANSPORT AND CARE OF ANIMALS The Welfare of Animals (Transport) Order Article 9 and Schedule 8 Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department The Welsh Assembly Government Table of Contents INTRODUCTION LEGISLATIVE BACKGROUND DETAIL OF ASSESSMENT BY AN EMPLOYER WHAT NEEDS TO BE COVERED BY EACH OF THE ELEMENTS IN THE ASSESSMENT ANNEX 1 - Article 9(1) of the Welfare of Animals (Transport) Order 1997 Provisions ANNEX 2 - Framework of Competences (Schedule 8 to the Welfare of Animals (Transport) Order 1997) ANNEX 3 - List of Organisations Currently Approved to Undertake Independent Assessments ANNEX 4 - Certificate of Competence

2 INTRODUCTION 1. From 1 July 1998, anyone who transports cattle, sheep, pigs, goats or horses on journeys of 8 hours or more by road or any journey, of whatever duration, by sea, air, or rail, is required by law to entrust animals only to the care of staff who have demonstrated that they are qualified to handle, transport, care for and safeguard the welfare of the animals. This guidance offers advice to employers on how to assess their staff. 2. It should be read in conjunction with the Welfare of Animals (Transport) Order 1997 (WATO 1997) (SI No. 1480) and its accompanying guidance. (Copies of the Order can be obtained from the Stationery Office Ltd (or downloaded from here The guidance is available from Defra, Animal Welfare Division, 5th Floor, 1A Page Street, London SW1P 4PQ (or downloaded from here Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department, Pentland House, 47 Robb's Loan, Edinburgh, EH14 1TY or The Welsh Assembly Government, Cathays Park, Cardiff, CF1 3NQ.) 3. This guidance has been developed in conjunction with Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department and The Welsh Assembly Government, although responsibility for approving the qualifications and method of assessment which must be used to determine competence rests with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. LEGISLATIVE BACKGROUND 4. Article 9 of WATO 1997 requires that whenever vertebrate animals are transported for journeys of over 50km, the transporter must ensure that the animals are accompanied by at least one attendant who has the appropriate knowledge and ability to look after them during the journey. The attendant must have received specific training or have equivalent practical experience (see Annex 1). Schedule 8 of the Order sets out the competences which an attendant accompanying vertebrate animals must possess (see Annex 2). Examples of attendants would be: - a driver, a groom or a member of staff appointed by an airline or shipping company who has responsibility for the welfare of animals during transport. 5. The Order lays down tighter rules on competence in the case of transporters operating under a Specific Authorisation (i.e. transporting cattle, sheep, pigs, goats or horses on journeys of 8 hours or more in road vehicles and on all journeys by sea, air or rail). In this case the attendant must have demonstrated competence either by obtaining a qualification approved by the Minister or through an assessment of equivalent practical experience. 6. Under the authority granted under article 9 of WATO 1997, the Minister has decided that from 1 July 1998, all attendants must have been assessed either by their employer or employer's nominee, (for example, a member of staff with responsibility for training) or by an independent assessor from a recognised training or assessing organisation (See Annex 3 for a list of currently approved independent assessors.) Assessment must be by a method approved by the Minister and evidence of a satisfactory assessment

3 should be provided in the form of a certificate signed by the employer or assessor. Those in the industry who are self employed, including independent livestock hauliers and farmers hauling their own stock on journeys of 8 hours or more by road or any journey by sea, air, or rail, may assess and certify themselves. DETAIL OF ASSESSMENT BY AN EMPLOYER 7. The following notes have been prepared by the Agriculture Departments and approved by the Minister and should be used by employers as a guide to assessing practical experience in the handling, transport and care of animals. They contain several references to the guidance, which has been prepared to accompany the Order and which provides more detailed notes on both general and specific provisions of the Order and provides technical advice in support of the Order's construction, maintenance and handling requirements. 8. Before signing a certificate of competence, an employer must be satisfied that the attendant is competent in all of the elements in the check-list at Annex 4, which sets out the list of competences in Schedule 8 to the Order. When an employer is satisfied that the relevant parts of each of the elements have been achieved satisfactorily, the appropriate details on the checklist should be completed and signed. The completed checklist then becomes the certificate of competence and forms the written record of the assessment. 9. The certificate must be given to the attendant and a copy kept by the employer for as long as the attendant is employed on duties involving accompanying animals and for 6 months after that date. The employer has an obligation to produce a copy of the certificate on demand to an inspector. 10. If an attendant leaves to work for another employer, the responsibility is with the new employer to ensure that the attendant is qualified to handle, transport and care for the animals with which he will be working, either by carrying out a new assessment or by obtaining a copy of the certificate from the previous employer. 11. It is not necessary to attend a training course before being assessed for competence, but it is expected that staff should have sufficient knowledge and practical experience to attain the standard expected at the time of assessment. 12. During the assessment, the employer must gather and record evidence about the attendant's capabilities and judge whether that evidence is sufficient to attribute competence. Whilst some of the elements are purely theoretical/factual, the emphasis when assessing the attendant's knowledge and ability should be on demonstrating practical skills. No written test is required, although the attendant must possess sufficient written skills to make necessary amendments to a route plan. However, although questions will be necessary for assessing knowledge, they should not be used as a substitute for demonstrating practical skills. 13. The completed certificate must state the species covered by the assessment. The assessment should include all species e.g. cattle, sheep, pigs, goats and horses which the attendant will be required to transport and, if appropriate, should take into account the differing needs of animals of different ages. If additional species are to be transported at a later date then it will be necessary for a further assessment to be made and for the certificate to be amended to confirm competence of that new species.

4 14. The assessment must be appropriate to the mode of transport used, i.e. road, sea, air or rail. The extent and type of knowledge required by an attendant will depend on the form of transport used and the animals to be transported. For example, an attendant of a lorry accompanying livestock will require different knowledge from an airline employee handling a receptacle containing livestock. The attendant of a lorry will need to be able to demonstrate his ability in all the elements of the competence framework covered in these notes. The airlines employee will need less detailed knowledge of e.g. authorisation requirements or vehicle construction. WHAT NEEDS TO BE COVERED BY EACH OF THE ELEMENTS IN THE ASSESSMENT i) Knowledge of which people are responsible for the welfare of animals during transport. Attendant needs to know: the point at which his responsibility starts and ends. Attendant needs to be aware that he must take responsibility for his own actions / inactions in relation to the management of animals while under his care during transport. who has responsibility for animals on different forms of transport and at different stages of the journey. (See Section 5, Part 1 of the guidance notes accompanying the Order.) ii)understanding of when to seek veterinary help and knowledge of which body or organisation to contact with general questions, for example, about transport conditions, matters of law or documentation. Attendant requires: knowledge of when and who to contact should problems or difficulties occur during the journey, e.g. changing weather or road conditions, delays, animals which become sick or problems with documentation. iii) Knowledge of the powers of enforcement authorities to inspect animals, documentation and vehicles before, during and after the journey. Attendant needs to know: that the Order is primarily enforced by Animal Health Inspectors of the local authorities, but also of the State Veterinary Service. Such Inspectors have wide powers to take action to safeguard the welfare of an animal and to prevent contravention of the law. This action, which may be preceded by more informal advice or direction, will usually be by serving a notice on the person who appears to be in charge of the animals and may be taken, as appropriate, either before a journey begins or during the course of transport. They have powers to inspect animals, documentation and vehicles. In serious cases, they have powers to prevent a journey from starting or continuing and of directing a vehicle to a specific place where the animals must be unloaded.

5 iv) Basic knowledge of the authorisation requirements for transporters and when such authorisation is necessary. Attendant needs to know: that all transporters operating in GB, who are transporting vertebrate animals by sea or air or by any other means of transport making a journey of over 50km, must be authorised and whether his journeys will be covered under the General Authorisation or whether they will require a Specific Authorisation. See Section 7, Part 1 of the guidance notes accompanying the Order.) v) Knowledge of how to plan a journey (taking into account such factors as maximum travelling times, required rest periods, and the time taken to load and unload). Ability to anticipate changing conditions and make contingencies for unforeseen circumstances. Attendant needs to demonstrate that he is able to: plan a journey taking account of the maximum permitted travelling time (which is set down in Schedule 7 of the Order), required rest periods and the time taken to load and unload. (See Section 3, Part 1 of the guidance notes accompanying the Order.) anticipate changing conditions. For example, adjust ventilation when the ambient temperature changes or the vehicle is stopped. make alternative arrangements during the journey, as necessary, to take account of unforeseen circumstances, such as delays or breakdowns and know who to contact for assistance. vi) Understanding of when a route plan or documentation are required and how to complete these documents. Attendant accompanying cattle, sheep, pigs, goats or horses (other than registered horses) on journeys of over 8 hours to another Member State or to a Third Country needs to: know that a route plan is required and what information it must contain (See Section 8, Part 1 of the guidance accompanying the Order.) know that the route plan must have been stamped by and the accompanying health certificate number added by the Divisional Veterinary Manager (DVM) and that both documents must accompany the animals throughout the journey. demonstrate his ability to record any deviations from the route plan which become necessary during a journey. demonstrate his ability to complete a route plan at the end of a journey. know that the transporter must return a route plan to the DVM who stamped it within 15 days of the completion of the journey. He also needs to be aware that failure to return a route plan could lead to a prosecution. Attendant accompanying cattle, sheep, pigs, goats or horses on domestic journeys over 50km needs to: know that an Animal Transport Certificate is required by the Order and the information it must contain. (See Section 8, Part 1 of the guidance accompanying the Order.) vii) Knowledge of vehicle construction and use requirements in current welfare legislation. Attendant needs to be able to:

6 know in which circumstances animals must be transported in an upgraded vehicle and in which circumstances a basic vehicle is sufficient. (See Section 3, Part 1 of the guidance accompanying the Order.) demonstrate his ability to carry out a check of a vehicle to ensure it complies with the Order and the technical advice given in Part 2 of the guidance accompanying the Order. viii) Ability to load, operate and control a vehicle safely, efficiently and effectively so as to ensure the welfare of the animals. Attendant needs to be able to: demonstrate his ability to load animals using an appropriate method and in a manner that minimises their stress, risk of injury and exposure to adverse weather conditions. (See ix) below.) demonstrate his ability, as appropriate, to operate controls and equipment of the vehicle in relation to animals being transported. Attendant who is also a driver needs to be able to: demonstrate his ability to drive a vehicle so as to cause minimum stress to the animals being transported e.g. from sudden acceleration, deceleration or change of direction. ix) Knowledge of the appropriate methods of handling animals during loading and unloading, including the use of visual fields and flight zones, lighting and the appropriate use of such things as sticks, boards, blindfolds and electric goads. Knowledge of handling methods which are prohibited. Attendant needs to: know the animals must be fit for their intended journey. know that unfit animals must not be transported except as permitted by article 6 of the Order. (See Section 2, Part 1 of the guidance accompanying the Order.) demonstrate his ability to recognise animals that are not fit to be transported (See Section 2, Part 1 of the guidance accompanying the Order.) recognise that loading and unloading is usually the most stressful part of a journey for an animal. demonstrate handling of animals, taking into account a species' behavioural characteristics, agility, visual field and flight zones and the appropriate use of aids such as sticks, boards, electrical goads, hurdles and lighting. know which handling methods are prohibited e.g. lifting sheep by their fleece. x) Knowledge of the specific requirements of the Order relating to different species for rest, feed and liquid. Attendant must: know that animals must be rested, fed and watered as appropriate before a journey. know the rest, feed and liquid requirements of the species being transported as laid down in Schedule 7 of the Order. (See Section 3, Part 1 of the guidance accompanying the Order.) demonstrate how to provide liquid and feed to animals on board a vehicle, if appropriate, including how to use, where fitted, any mechanical or automated means of feeding or watering.

7 xi) Knowledge of stocking densities (effects of overcrowding and understocking) and headroom and segregation requirements, taking into account species being transported, method of transport, gender, condition, age, length of journey and ambient conditions. Attendant must: be aware of the provisions relating to stocking densities contained in article 5 of the Order. (See Section 2, Part 1 and Appendix 2 of the guidance accompanying the Order.) understand that animals must be provided with adequate space to stand in their natural positions and room to lie down where necessary. understand and recognise the adverse affects of both overcrowding and understocking. be able to demonstrate knowledge of segregation requirements, taking into account the method of transport; species being transported; their size, gender, condition, age; the length of the journey and the ambient conditions. xii) Understanding of the importance for animal welfare of temperature, both inside and outside the vehicle, including the effect on different species and the need for adjustment of ventilation. Attendant must be able to demonstrate that he: understands the importance of maintaining a suitable environment of temperature and humidity inside the vehicle. understands the effect which overheating and excessive cold can have on different species and on animals of different ages. understands the different factors which apply when stationery or moving, for example, the desirability of parking vehicles in the shade in very hot conditions or the need to look for protection when parking in inclement conditions knows when and demonstrates how to adjust the ventilation of the means of transport. understands the importance of ensuring adequate space above the animals in order to achieve effective air flow through the vehicle. xiii) Ability to clean and disinfect vehicles and knowledge of when it is necessary to do so before and after a journey. Attendant must: understand the importance of keeping the vehicle clean to avoid contamination of the animals; know when a vehicle must be cleaned (and, if necessary, disinfected) and be able to demonstrate how to do it using appropriate cleaning and disinfecting materials. xiv) Elementary knowledge of the causes of stress in animals; ability to recognise the signs of stress and ill-health, and basic knowledge of how to reduce the symptoms. Attendant must: understand the main causes of stress in animals, for example, noises, thirst and heat. be able to recognise the signs of stress and ill-health in animals.

8 recognise that the animals' welfare should be monitored at suitable intervals during a journey. demonstrate that he is able to carry out basic tasks to try and reduce the symptoms of stress, e.g. through the provision of water or feed, breaks from transport, increasing ventilation or cutting the journey short. xv) Ability to care for animals which become unfit or injured during transport, including an understanding of when to seek veterinary advice. Knowledge of the limited circumstances when it is permissible to transport unfit animals for veterinary treatment or slaughter. Attendant must be able to: recognise signs of an animal which is distressed, ill or injured and be able to describe these to someone else. understand when to seek veterinary advice. demonstrate or explain how to administer the appropriate care to animals that become unfit or injured during transport. Attendant need to: know that unfit animals must not be transported except as permitted by article 6 of the Order, (See Section 2, Part 1 of the guidance accompanying the Order.) ANNEX 1 ARTICLE 9 (1) OF THE WELFARE OF ANIMALS (TRANSPORT) ORDER 1997 PROVIDES THAT: 'Any transporter who transports vertebrate animals on a journey of over 50km shall ensure that the persons to whom he entrusts the animals includes at least one person who has either - (a) specific training, or (b) equivalent practical experience, 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 competence set out in Schedule 8 to enable him to safeguard the welfare of the animals being transported.'

9 ANNEX 2 FRAMEWORK OF COMPETENCES (SCHEDULE 8 TO THE WELFARE OF ANIMALS (TRANSPORT) ORDER 1997). 1. Knowledge of which people are responsible for the welfare of animals during transport. 2. Understanding of when to seek veterinary help and knowledge of which body or organisation to contact with general questions, for example, about transport conditions, matters of law or documentation. 3. Knowledge of the powers of enforcement authorities to inspect animals, documentation and vehicles before, during and after the journey. 4. Basic knowledge of the authorisation requirements for transporters and when such authorisation is necessary. 5. Knowledge of how to plan a journey (taking into account such factors as maximum travelling times, required rest periods, and the time taken to load and unload). Ability to anticipate changing conditions and make contingencies for unforeseen circumstances. 6. Understanding of when a route plan or documentation is required and how to complete the documents. 7. Knowledge of vehicle construction and use requirements in current welfare legislation. 8. Ability to load, operate and control a vehicle safely, efficiently and effectively so as to ensure the welfare of the animals. 9. Knowledge of the appropriate methods of handling animals during loading and unloading, including the use of visual fields and flight zones, lighting and the appropriate use of such things as sticks, boards, blindfolds and electric goads. Knowledge of handling methods which are prohibited. 10. Knowledge of the specific requirements of the Order relating to different species for rest, feed and liquid. 11. Knowledge of stocking densities (effects of overcrowding and understocking and headroom and segregation requirements, taking into account species being transported, method of transportation, gender, condition, age, length of journey and ambient conditions. 12. Understanding of the importance for animal welfare of temperature, both inside and outside the vehicle, including the effect on different species and the need for adjustment of ventilation 13. Ability to clean and disinfect vehicles and knowledge of when it is necessary to do so before and after the journey. 14. Elementary knowledge of the causes of stress in animals; ability to recognise the signs of stress and ill-health, and basic knowledge of how to reduce the symptoms. 15. Ability to care for animals which become unfit or injured during transport, including an understanding of when to seek veterinary advice. Knowledge of the limited circumstances when it is permissible to transport unfit animals for veterinary treatment or slaughter.

10 ANNEX 3 LIST OF ORGANISATIONS CURRENTLY APPROVED TO UNDERTAKE INDEPENDENT ASSESSMENTS The National Proficiency Tests Council (contact: Mr J Wilson, Tel: ) The Road Haulage Association (contact: Mr E Harper, Tel: ) ANNEX 4 CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCE This Certificate of Competence is available in English (ERA26) and Welsh (ERA26w) in pdf format. They are available on our forms page Adobe Acrobat Reader: You may need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view some documents. Please download a free copy by clicking the logo. Viewers with visual difficulties may find it useful to investigate services provided to improve the accessibility of Acrobat documents -