News

The government denies its campaign to promote new animal transportation regulations has been a failure following claims by independent assessors that industry awareness is lacking.

Last January, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) launched a drive to publicise the new EU-wide legislation which requires drivers and attendants to hold a certificate of competence to legally transport animals by road when journeys are more than 65km. Defra-sponsored roadshows to  highlight the issue are continuing this year. Failure to comply with the regulations could lead to a £5,000 fine, or six-months imprisonment.

However, Wayne Grills, managing director of Lantra Awards, which has developed a Level 2 certificate of competence qualification, claims there is "a lack of awareness" about the changes, and how to acquire the appropriate certificate of competence. A spokeswoman for the Scottish Skilled Testing Service, another body offering certificates of competence, agrees that take-up has been low. But she adds: "It's picking up now. We have had 750 enquiries for applications, which is still quite low, but come another two months I think it will be higher."

A Defra spokesman says: "These rules are aimed at improving the welfare of animals during transport. Our awareness campaign is having an impact and we are confident the message is getting across." Although the regulations are already in force, Defra says it will not take any action against  domestic transporters without a certificate until the end of April 2008, due to the recent foot and mouth and bluetongue outbreaks. All journeys in the rest of Europe now need a valid certificate.