Welfare in Animal Transport Order (2006)
Do
You Travel Horses:*-
For Financial Gain?
For
Hire or Reward?
As
part of your Business?
For
Sale or to an Abattoir?
If the Answer
is YES to any of these, then
you may need a WATO certificate
of competence.
*THE
TERM HORSE IN THIS PAGE MEANS HORSE,
PONY, DONKEY OR MULE*
What
does WATO mean?
Welfare of Animal (Transport) Order
(2006) (WATO) certificate of competence will come into force on 5th
January 2008. The regulation requires mandatory certification of
competence for the transport of animals over 65km in connection with an
economic activity.
These regulations aim to improve the
welfare of animals including horses during transportation and to bring
consistency across the European Union.
Who
does it affect?
It affects people wishing to transport
horses in connection with an economic activity and the journey is over
65km.
The regulation does not define economic
activity but indicates it to be any transport of animals, including
horses, undertaken as part of a business or commercial activity, which
aims at achieving financial gain, whether direct or indirect, for any
person or company involved with transport.
Economic
activities may include:-
·
Commercial
Hauliers,
·
Professional
Horse Racers,
·
Professional
Polo Teams,
·
Horses
being transported for sale or slaughter,
·
Those
who move horses in connection with professional riding/driving and livery.
· Transporting horses as part of a business.
WATO Certificates are NVQ Qualifications.
Attendants Certificates are Level 2 and
Drivers Certificates are Level 3 and are
VALID FOR LIFE.
How
Much Does It Cost?
Attendants
Assessment
BDS Member
£55.00
Non BDS Member
£65.00
Drivers
Assessment
BDS Member
£65.00
Non
BDS Member
£75.0
Attendants
Certificate
Attendants must be at least 16 years old
to take the assessment and the following units are included.
Candidates must demonstrate
underpinning knowledge and practical ability to:-
·
Carry out checks on loading/unloading
areas and on transport vehicle for suitability and safety.
·
Competently and safely prepare the horse
for transport.
·
Competently and safely load and unload
the horse with regard to welfare and safety.
·
Competently and safely care for the horse
during transport with regard to welfare and safety.
Drivers
must hold a valid driving licence for the vehicle they will be using
during the assessment. Cars and Trailers or horse lorries (Non-HGV and HGV)
are acceptable. The driver must ensure that the vehicle is road worthy and
all documentation relating to the vehicle is up-to-date.
As well as carrying out the
attendants units of competence the driver will also have to demonstrate
underpinning knowledge and practical ability to: -
·
Drive the horse transport vehicle in a
safe manner, with regard to the welfare and safety of the horse.
WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU READ
THE SYLLABUS BEFORE ATTENDING AN ASSESSMENT. WE OFFER FREE TRAINING BEFORE
THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE ASSESSMENT.
Further
Information and the Full Syllabus is available from www.britishdrivingsociety.co.uk,
follow the WATO links.
Up- To-Date Information on transporting horses is available from www.defra.gov.uk