The Welfare of Animals (Transport) (Amendment) Regulations 2025
Source: legislation.gov.uk (2025-07-21)

These Regulations amend Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 on the protection of animals during transport and related operations (EUR 2005/1).

Statutory Instruments

2025 No. 776

Animals

Animal Welfare

The Welfare of Animals (Transport) (Amendment) Regulations 2025

Made

30th June 2025

Laid before Parliament

1st July 2025

Coming into force

22nd July 2025

The Secretary of State makes these Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by Articles 30(1) and 30a(8) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/european/regulation/2005/0001\") on the protection of animals during transport and related operations(1 (\"#f00001\")) (“Regulation (EC) 1/2005 (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/european/regulation/2005/0001\")”).

In accordance with Article 2a(2) of Regulation (EC) 1/2005 (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/european/regulation/2005/0001\"), the Welsh Ministers, in relation to the application of these Regulations to Wales, and the Scottish Ministers, in relation to the application of these Regulations to Scotland, have consented to the Secretary of State making these Regulations.

In accordance with Article 30a(9) of Regulation (EC) 1/2005 (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/european/regulation/2005/0001\"), the Secretary of State, the Welsh Ministers and the Scottish Ministers have consulted such bodies or persons as appear to them to be representative of the interests likely to be substantially affected by these Regulations and such other bodies or persons as they consider appropriate.

Citation, commencement and extent

1.—(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Welfare of Animals (Transport) (Amendment) Regulations 2025.

(2) These Regulations come into force on 22nd July 2025.

(3) These Regulations extend to England, Wales and Scotland.

Amendment of Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/european/regulation/2005/0001\")

2.—(1) Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/european/regulation/2005/0001\") on the protection of animals during transport and related operations(2 (\"#f00002\")) is amended as follows.

(2) In Annex 1, in Chapter 3 (technical rules: transport practices), at the end of paragraph 1.8 insert—

“The prohibition in point (d) on lifting the animals by the legs does not apply to birds of the species Gallus gallus or turkeys.

In the case of birds of the species Gallus gallus, and turkeys weighing 5kg or less, it is prohibited to catch, lift or carry any such bird by taking hold of or holding its legs unless both of its legs are taken hold of or held at the same time.

In the case of turkeys weighing more than 5kg, it is prohibited to lift or carry any such bird in an inverted position, whether by holding the bird by the legs or otherwise.”.

Daniel Zeichner

Minister of State

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

30th June 2025

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations amend Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/european/regulation/2005/0001\") on the protection of animals during transport and related operations (EUR 2005/1 (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/european/regulation/2005/0001\")).

Regulation 2 amends Annex 1 to Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/european/regulation/2005/0001\") to exclude birds of the species Gallus gallus and turkeys from the prohibition in paragraph 1.8(d) of Chapter 3 (technical rules: transport practices) on the lifting of animals by the legs. It also makes alternative provision in relation to catching, lifting and carrying of birds of the species Gallus gallus and turkeys.

A full impact assessment of the effect that this instrument will have on the costs of business, the voluntary sector and the public sector is available on legislation.gov.uk and from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Seacole Building, 2 Marsham Street, London, SW1 4DF.

(1)

EUR 2005/1 (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/european/regulation/2005/0001\"); Articles 2a and 30a were inserted by regulation 6(3) and (8) of S.I. 2019/588 (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2019/588\") (as amended by S.I. 2020/1590 (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2020/1590\")) and article 30(1) was amended by regulation 6(7)(a) of S.I. 2019/588 (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2019/588\"). See Article 2a for the definition of “the appropriate authority”.

(2)

EUR 2005/1 (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/european/regulation/2005/0001\"); there are amending instruments but none is relevant.