The safety of personnel is of great importance for the Commission, and the Commission is aware of the risks involved when animals are being transported. These risks can and should be minimised by ensuring proper training of the personnel, having the correct equipment and preparing the animals for the planned journey.

According to Article 6(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1/2005[1] on the protection of animals during transport drivers must hold a certificate of competence, which should be granted in accordance with Annex IV to the regulation. Point 2(f) of Annex IV highlights that the training needed to receive the certificate must include safety considerations for personnel handling animals.

Point 1(4) of Chapter II of Annex I to the regulation states that partitions of means of transport should be strong enough to withstand the weight of the animals and that fittings shall be designed for quick and easy operation. According to point 1(3) of Chapter III, facilities for loading shall be constructed so as to prevent injury and minimise excitement and distress during animal movements. Reduced stress for the animals would also decrease the risk of injury for the staff handling the animals.

The importance of preparing animals for the journey was described in the opinion of the Scientific Committee on Animal Health and Animal welfare, adopted in March 2002[2]. According to the opinion animals must be adequately prepared for the journey, taking the species and the length of the journey in to account. It is the understanding of the Commission that animals that will be kept separate during the journey should be separated throughout the preparation stage for transport as this would lead to a less stressful situation at the time of loading.

• [1] Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 on the protection of animals during transport and related operations; OJ L 3, 5.1.2005, p. 1.
• [2] The welfare of animals during transport (details for horses, pigs, sheep and cattle) — Report of the Scientific Committee on Animal Health and Animal Welfare. Adopted on 11 March 2002; http://ec.europa.eu/food/fs/sc/scah/out71_en.pdf

OJ C 256 E, 05/09/2013