Heat and time limits in new transport laws

Legislation making its way through parliament is aimed at improving the welfare of horses and livestock in transit

- ELEANOR JONES

THE equestrian industry has welcomed changes on journey times and conditions for horses in new animal welfare legislation – but also the fact tweaks may still be made to proposals.

Measures announced by the Government on 18 August, which will be making their way through parliament, include a ban on live export for slaughter, a maximum 12-hour journey time, eight hours if the external temperature is plus-25°C or below freezing, and a minimum of 20cm headroom. The legislation would also ban traveling horses when the external temperature is 30°C or more, unless the vehicle has a thermoregulation system, although how this will work will be part of ongoing discussions. Such systems would also allow journeys longer than eight hours outside the 0–25°C range.