8 hours for land transport and 12 for poultry: New regulations to control livestock transport
The ministry revealed a comprehensive legislative system to ensure complete control over the movement Transport of live animals Inside and outside the Kingdom.
The ministry confirmed that this strategic step comes to enhance health procedures in veterinary facilities and curb the transmission of cross-border diseases.
The ministry warned transporters against exceeding eight consecutive hours on transport routes without giving the animals mandatory rest periods and providing water and food.
Severe penalties
She explained firmly that those who violate these requirements will be subject to strict penalties explicitly stipulated in the agricultural regulations.
The new government regulations also mandate obtaining an additional permit from the Ministry for every vehicle transporting livestock or livestock products.
Article 60 explicitly prohibits the transport of sick animals or products suspected of being infected without prior written approval.
The guidelines emphasize the prohibition of transporting animals to and from declared epidemic exclusion zones in any geographical area.
The Ministry also granted broad field powers to authorized personnel, allowing them to stop passing vehicles to ensure their full compliance with animal welfare standards.
In a move reflecting the evolution of humane standards, the guidelines categorically prohibit the use of painful methods such as whipping, tail twisting, and blindfolding to compel animals to move.
The use of electric shocks in sensitive areas of the animal, such as the eyes, nose, and anus, is also prohibited and restricted to the most limited circumstances and only for large ruminants.
Comprehensive organization
The legislation mandates that truck owners provide designated spaces for each animal to prevent overcrowding, requiring effective mechanical or natural ventilation that remains operational even when stationary.
The directive also emphasizes the need for secure vehicle flooring to prevent waste from spilling onto public roads or onto animals in lower compartments.
At sea, the Ministry stipulates that the area of a single enclosure on a ship must not exceed 40.5 square meters.
Regulations also strictly require the presence of at least one fully equipped veterinary clinic on board the vessel to provide immediate care for any health emergencies during voyages.
The regulatory framework extends to air transport, emphasizing carriers' adherence to international load density limits approved by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
The guidelines strictly prohibit the shipment of female animals in advanced stages of pregnancy to protect them from the risks and pain of giving birth in isolated environments.
Regarding the food security and poultry sector, regulations have established a strict timeframe stipulating that the transport of live birds must not exceed twelve hours from the moment they are captured.
Experts recommend transporting birds in the early morning or evening to avoid heat stress caused by the intense sun.
Regulation of livestock products
The guidelines also addressed the regulation of livestock products, mandating that refrigerated transport vehicles maintain temperatures between -1 and -10 degrees Celsius for chilled operations.
They emphasized the critical importance of achieving -18 degrees Celsius for frozen products, coupled with the use of digital temperature monitoring devices for continuous temperature recording.
This comprehensive framework is based on the agricultural system established by royal decree and its recently approved implementing regulations. It thus serves as a robust safeguard, protecting the national gains of the livestock sector from risks and ensuring the availability of safe, high-quality food for consumers.
