Changes to Transport Policy
Date published:
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has announced changes to the transport policy when transporting animals to a show or exhibition.
From 1 October 2025 transports of the following nature will no longer be deemed to be in connection with an economic activity and are therefore exempt from Regulation (EC) No. 1/2005 (EU 1/2005):
• where animals are taken to or from a specialist show or competition and the primary purpose is for pleasure rather than as part of a business; and
• where horses and ponies are transported by an owner for the purpose of riding, showing or competing for pleasure e.g. show jumping, gymkhanas etc.
Therefore, owners transporting the above animals to shows will no longer be required to have mandatory transport approvals such as a transporter authorisation certificate of competence or an approved vehicle.
However, the following exceptions will still fall within the scope of EU 1/2005 and will require the necessary transport approvals:
• farmed animals attending shows;
• animals attending racing events; and
• professional horse riders/jockeys, including those sponsored to compete.
If there is uncertainty whether the planned movement is in connection with an economic activity, the transporter must demonstrate to the competent authority that it has no connection with an economic activity.
The Single Animal Exemption (SAE), which allowed individuals in NI to transport a single animal without mandatory approvals, will be revoked from 1 October 2025. From that date, anyone transporting a single animal for economic purposes over 65km, must have transporter authorisation. Depending on the species and journey duration, a certificate of competence and vehicle approval may also be required.
A DAERA spokesperson said: “The changes to these policies will allow owners and their companion animals to move more freely to animal shows and exhibitions. The changes will align DAERA’s policy with the approach taken in GB, which will help to resolve the confusion which has existed around travel to these types of shows.
“The revocation of the SAE will also close the loophole which has permitted some commercial transporters to avoid having the necessary transport approvals and training in place to transport animals.”
Regardless of any change in policy it is an offence under the Welfare of Animals (Transport) Regulations (NI) 2006 (WATR 2006) to transport any animal in a way which causes, or is likely to cause, injury or unnecessary suffering to that animal.
Full details of the changes and the transport approvals required.
Notes to editors:
- EU 1/2005 on the protection of animals during transport, applies to the transport of animals which takes place in connection with an economic activity. The regulation outlines the general conditions for transporting animals and the approvals and documentation required to do so.
- EU 1/2005 is directly applicable in Northern Ireland (NI) under the Windsor Framework. It established a system throughout the EU to protect animal welfare during transport. The Regulation was implemented in Northern Ireland (NI) by the Welfare of Animals (Transport) Regulations (NI) 2006, as amended. Under these regulations, commercial transporters based in NI must be authorised by DAERA if they wish to transport animals on any journey over 65km.
- More information on EU 1/2005 located here
- DAERA is the Competent Authority for enforcing EU 1/2005 in NI.
- EU 1/2005 does not provide a definition for an ‘economic activity’. However, it states that “transport for commercial purposes is not limited to transport where an immediate exchange of money, goods or services takes place. Transport for commercial purposes includes, in particular, transport which directly or indirectly involves or aims at a financial gain”.
- The SAE was adopted as a UK-wide policy in 2007. This exemption permitted, within NI, an individual animal to be transported with its owner/keeper (up to a maximum of four people and four animals in a single vehicle) without the need to have the mandatory transport approvals detailed above. Recognition of the SAE policy was abolished across GB, although it continued to apply for transport solely within NI. It was never recognised in the ROI or elsewhere in the EU.
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