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Animal transport; application for approval of means of road transport

  • Brief description

    If you wish to use road transport vehicles commercially to transport animals for longer than 8 hours, you need a license for the means of transport from the competent veterinary office.

  • Description

    If you want to use means of transport, such as truck trailers, car trailers or semi-trailers, for long journeys of animals in connection with a commercial activity, you need prior approval for these means of transport. This applies to transportation within the EU that lasts 8 hours or longer or within Germany that lasts longer than 12 hours (exception only for breeding and farm animals).

    Transportation includes the entire transport process from the place of dispatch to the place of destination, including loading, unloading and, if necessary, storage at intermediate stations.

    Approval is granted for a maximum of 5 years.

  • Prerequisites

    If you wish to transport animals commercially, the means of transport used must be equipped with

    • a navigation system,
    • an efficient ventilation system,
    • a temperature monitoring system with data recorder and
    • a warning system for exceeding permissible maximum or minimum temperatures

    and meet the technical requirements of the EU Animal Transport Regulation (Regulation (EC) No. 1/2005).

  • Deadlines

    You must apply for approval before using the means of transport. You may only use the means of transport once you have received approval.

  • Required documents

    The following proofs and declarations are required for approval:

    • Details of the company/institution
    • Details of the means of transportation
    • Vehicle registration document
    • TÜV-certified acceptance report of the means of transport
    • TÜV-certified acceptance certificate for the navigation system
    • Data proof of the navigation system
    • Declaration that you or your representatives have not committed any serious infringements of Community and/or national animal welfare legislation in the last three years
    • Declaration that you or your representatives have not applied for approval from any other competent authority in Germany or a Member State

  • Costs

    Fee: 100 to 1,000 EUR

  • Legal basis

  • Legal remedy

    Administrative court action

  • Procedure

    Once you have submitted the documents, they will be reviewed by the veterinary office and your details documented. You will then receive your approval.

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