December 12, 2022

Spanish royal decree aims to improve livestock welfare conditions

A royal decree on animal health and protection standards during transport in Spain introduces improvements in livestock welfare conditions and requirements for professionals.

The new text, which combines aspects of animal health and animal welfare legislation, will:

    - Clarify the types of authorisation required to carry out the transport of animals, including circumstances under which a movement is considered an economic activity and makes it mandatory for all authorised transporters to have a contingency plan for possible unforeseen situations;

    - Extend the training requirements to certain groups involved in the transport of animals, such as personnel who handle and load animals onto means of transport, port and airport operators and ship crews;

    - Reinforce — in relation to the transport of animals on livestock vessels — the conditions for carrying out this activity and the conditions of the means of transport;

    - Incorporate the requirements to be met by ports and airports for the transport of live animals, which will require a veterinary service, trained personnel and a standardised work plan.

- MAPA (Spain)