In the summer heat, increased control of live animal transport is essential

By: STA Date: 2024. 08. 07. 10:30

In connection with the summer seasonal inspections, the county and district specialists carry out retrospective, i.e. looking back, inspections in the case of ruminant and pig shipments sent on a long-distance journey (longer than 8 hours). During this, the documents of 80 shipments in 12 counties were analyzed in June. The inspectors determined that the prescribed temperature range was exceeded in almost a quarter of the shipments, due to administrative deficiencies, it was less than in previous years.

(Photo: Pixabay)

The inspections focus on the most critical factors from the point of view of animal protection and animal welfare defined in the relevant legislation: compliance with temperature ranges and transport and resting times. Based on the test data, the delivery times met the requirements in most cases, but the required temperature range was exceeded in about 20 cases. During the inspections in June, only a few consignments had the (previously common) problem that the transporters did not send the authorities the thermoregulation and GPS data required for the inspection. Due to the revealed deficiencies and legal violations, the competent authorities took the necessary measures against the transporters concerned. Adequate protection of animals during transport and optimal maintenance of transport conditions, especially in the summer heat, are vital. In order to ensure this (primarily in view of the high temperatures), the continuous official inspection of live animal transports during the summer months is of particular importance, so the inspections will take place throughout the summer.