The NVWA has updated the operational guideline HTSL-TRTPECOL-WLZVL-01 – Welfare during the transport of vertebrate animals. This working instruction describes how official NVWA veterinarians carry out checks on animal transports related to economic activities, including cross-border transport. The changes appear limited, but in practice they may have immediate consequences for exporters, assembly centres, transporters, livestock farmers and slaughterhouses.
The message is clear: less repair work on the valve, more preventive maintenance.
The NVWA lists three changes:
For long-distance cross-border transport, the paper log must correspond to the digital Animal Journey Log in TRACES NT. Both must be complete, reasonably filled in and identical in content.
The key point is this: if, during the inspection, a logbook is submitted that differs in content from the one checked during the pre-screening, the NVWA will not sign the logbook and no health certificate will be issued. The NVWA will therefore not carry out a new substantive assessment.
This means that any changes to the route, schedule, rest stops, journey time or persons in charge must be properly incorporated and assessed prior to the inspection.
Section 5.3.8 refers to the ventilation system in more explicit terms. Where required, the means of transport must be fitted with a fully operational ventilation system. All fans must be in good working order. If a fan is faulty, the replacement fan must be compatible with the vehicle’s existing system.
This leaves less room for stopgap measures or debate. The question is not whether there is “some” form of ventilation, but whether the system as a whole is functioning properly.
The removal of the phrase “sufficient and good-quality water and feed” appears to be intended primarily to clarify this paragraph. Paragraph 5.3.8 deals with the physical inspection of the means of transport: drinking water system, ventilation, temperature monitoring, satellite navigation and bedding. Water, feed and care naturally remain relevant within the broader transport regulations.
The NVWA checks whether animals are fit for the intended transport. In doing so, it draws on, amongst other things, European guidelines, EURCAW indicator fact sheets for pigs and the BuRO advice on dry-off dairy cows.
There is now a greater emphasis on pre-selection. The NVWA checks whether this has been carried out in accordance with the sector protocol on fitness for transport. The accompanying document may also be the VKI or the transport document.
A separate procedure applies to collection centres for vulnerable animals. This includes, amongst others, sows for slaughter, piglets for slaughter and dairy cattle. For these categories, pre-selection must be carried out in accordance with EU guidelines, EURCAW and the sector protocol.
The NVWA does not provide a detailed explanation of the reason. However, the practical interpretation is clear. The NVWA is likely seeking to address three recurring issues:
Businesses need to organise their preparations more effectively. Don’t wait until the NVWA is on site to carry out checks; do so in advance. At the very least, check the following:
The amendment to the work instructions is not a major change. It does, however, send a clear signal.
The NVWA is placing greater emphasis on demonstrable preparation: the correct documentation, consistency between paper records and TRACES, a technically suitable means of transport, and a documented pre-selection of animals. In practice, this means ensuring that the transport arrangements are in order before the official veterinarian arrives.
If the logbook is inaccurate, the ventilation system is a cause for concern, or the pre-selection process has not been properly documented, the immediate consequence may be: no signature, no health certificate and no departure.
