Application for approval as a transport company in accordance with the EU Animal Welfare Transport Regulation

If you want to carry out animal transports, you need a licence as a transport company before you start your activity. The application must be submitted to your local veterinary office.

If you want to transport animals, you need a license as a transport company from the competent veterinary office before you start work.

A distinction can be made between two licenses:

• An authorization for transports with a duration of up to 8 hours (type 1) and
• an authorization for transports with a duration of more than 8 hours (long transport: type 2).

For a type 1 license, you must meet certain requirements regarding your location/company headquarters, qualified personnel and handling that complies with animal welfare legislation.

For a type 2 approval, you must meet some additional requirements. You will find detailed information in the "Requirements" section.

Transportation includes the entire transport process from the place of dispatch to the place of destination, including unloading, storage and loading at intermediate stations.

If there are any changes to the information or documents that you have provided to your veterinary office as part of the approval, please inform your veterinary office no later than 15 working days after the change.

If you are a farmer, you do not require approval to transport your own animals in your own means of transport over a distance of less than 50 km from your farm.

In Lower Saxony, responsibility lies with the veterinary offices of the districts, the Hanover region and the independent cities as well as with the Jade-Weser Veterinary Office Association.

In Lower Saxony, responsibility lies with the veterinary offices of the districts, the Hanover region and the independent cities as well as the Jade-Weser Veterinary Office.

• Application for approval as a transport company (ask for this at your veterinary office or look for a form on the homepage of the veterinary office)
• Supporting documents (see "Prerequisites")
   

Requirements that you must meet in order to obtain a type 1 approval (transport time up to 8 hours):

• You are a resident of Germany or have a representative in Germany.
• You have demonstrated that you have sufficient and appropriate staff, equipment and procedures.
• You or your representatives are not known to have committed serious breaches of Community and/or national animal welfare legislation in the last three years. If your veterinary office considers that you have provided sufficient evidence that you have taken all necessary measures to avoid further infringements, an authorisation may still be granted, if necessary.

Requirements that you must meet in order to obtain a type 2 permit (transport time longer than 8 hours):

• They meet all the requirements for type 1 approval.
• You have submitted valid certificates of competency for all drivers and supervisors who will be used for long journeys.
• You have submitted valid proof of registration for all means of road transport that are to be used for long journeys.
• You have submitted details of your procedures for recording and tracking your road vehicles.
• You have submitted details of your procedures for keeping in touch with your drivers.
• They have submitted contingency plans that come into effect in urgent cases.
   

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After you have submitted the paperwork and documents, they will be inspected at the veterinary office and your details will be documented. You will then receive your admission.

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Fee from 35,00 EUR to 250,00 EUR

Animal transports are subject to requirements to ensure animal welfare during transport. According to Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No. 1/2005, no one may carry out or arrange for the transport of animals if the animals could be injured or unnecessarily suffering in the process.

In addition, the following conditions must be met:

• Prior to transport, all necessary arrangements were taken to keep the journey time as short as possible and to take account of the needs of the animals during transport.
• The animals are fit for transport.
• The means of transport are designed, built and maintained and are used in such a way as to spare the animals injury and suffering and to ensure their safety.
• The loading and unloading equipment is designed, constructed and maintained and is used in such a way as to spare injuries and suffering to the animals and to ensure their safety.
• The persons handling the animals are appropriately trained or qualified for this purpose and do not use violence or any other method in the performance of their duties that could unnecessarily frighten the animals or cause them unnecessary injury or suffering.
• The transport to the destination is carried out without delays, and the well-being of the animals is regularly checked and maintained in an appropriate manner.
• The animals have sufficient floor space and standing height according to their size and the planned transport.
• The animals are provided with water and food appropriate to their type and size at appropriate intervals and are allowed to rest.
   

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