Animal and Plant Health Agency
The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) is alerting animal transporters that the process for renewal of type 1 transporter authorisations will change from 1 October 2016.
Type 1 transporter authorisations are required for those transporting animals, as part of an economic activity, on journeys over 65 km and up to 8 hours in duration. Transporters 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 APHAs Welfare in Transport team by post, email or fax. Renewal application forms and information on how to obtain electronic copies of the renewal application are available on GOV.UK.
Transporter authorisations are valid for 5 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 should check their current authorisation documents, which have the expiry dates printed on them. It is the individuals responsibility to apply for renewal and failure to do so risks heavy penalties if transporters found to be operating without valid authorisation.
Transporters with queries about type 1 transporter authorisation renewals should contact the Defra Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301.