The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) is alerting animal transporters that the renewal process for Type 1 Transporter Authorisations has changed from 1 October 2016.
Type 1 Transporter Authorisations are required for those transporting animals - as part of an economic activity - on journeys over 65km and up to 8 hours in duration.
Those involved in economic activity include farmers, livestock and poultry hauliers and those who move horses in connection with professional riding, livery and stabling.
From 1 October, in order to comply with EU animal transport regulations, Type 1 Transporter Authorisations will not be renewed automatically.
Instead, animal transporters must submit an application for renewal of their Type 1 authorisations.
Applications to renew animal transport authorisations should be submitted to APHA’s Welfare in Transport Team by post, email or fax.
Transporter authorisations are valid for five years, and a significant number were renewed in 2012.
This means that a large number of authorisations are due for renewal in 2017 and transporters are urged to apply for renewal at the earliest possible opportunity, to ensure their continued authorisation.
Transporters do not need to wait until their current authorisations expire, renewals can be issued from 1 October.
Transporters are being urged to check their current authorisation documents, which have the expiry dates printed on them.
It is the individual’s responsibility to apply for renewal and failure to do so risks heavy penalties if transporters are found to be operating without valid authorisation.
The Animal and Plant Health Agency is an Executive Agency of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs working to safeguard animal and plant health for the benefit of people, the environment and the economy.
