Professional Driver and Attendant Engaged in the Transport of Livestock, Equines and Poultry

Regulators: Animal and Plant Health Agency

Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Nations: England
Sectors: Other

Transport

Regulatory or professional bodies

Primary regulator

Regulatory authority: Animal and Plant Health Agency
Address: APHA Centre for International Trade
Eden Bridge House
Lowther Street
Carlisle
CA3 8DX
Email address: wit@apha.gov.uk
Website: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/animal-and-plant-health-agency
Phone number: +44 (0)3000 200 301

Additional regulator

Regulatory authority: Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Address: Nobel House, 17 Smith Square
London
SW1P 3JR
Email address: defra.helpline@defra.gov.uk
Website: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-environment-food-rural-affairs
Phone number: +44 (0)3459 335 577

Regulation

Regulation summary

Drivers and attendants of bovine, ovine, caprine or porcine species, poultry or domestic Equidae are regulated by retained EU legislation; Council Regulation EC No 1/2005 on the protection of animals during transport and related operations. All drivers and attendants must hold a certificate of competence, pursuant to Article 17(2) of retained regulation 1/2005, issued by the competent authority. The scope of the certificate of competence may be limited to a specific species or group of species.

Regulation type

Licence

Reserved activities

You must have your competence independently assessed if you transport animals by road, on journeys over 65km, in connection with an economic activity. This only applies to bovine, ovine, caprine or porcine species, poultry or domestic Equidae.

Qualifications and experience

New professionals

Routes to qualification

You must have your competence independently assessed if you transport animals by road, on journeys over 65km, in connection with an economic activity. This only applies to domestic species of cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, domestic equidae and poultry.

The assessment may be a:

- theory test - for journeys over 65km and up to 8 hours
- practical assessment of competence including animal handling, and if
required, driving skills - for journeys over 8 hours

If assessed as competent, you will receive a certificate of competence. Your certificate will be specific to: your role of either transporter or attendant, the length of journeys you take, the species you transport.

Certificates of competence are currently valid for life.

Several independent bodies carry out assessments for competence and award competence certificates. See the link below for more information.

More about qualification

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/animal-welfare#certificate-of-competence

Professionals from other UK nations

Routes to recognition within the UK: All UK nations have the same training requirements. Drivers and attendants in England, Scotland and Wales will apply for a Certificate of Competence via APHA, and in Northern Ireland via DAERA.

Professionals from outside the UK

Recognition for professionals outside the UK

Some - qualifications from some countries may be recognised, but professionals from other countries will have to re-qualify

Summary of routes

Under the common travel area, Irish and British citizens can move freely and reside in either jurisdiction and enjoy associated rights and entitlements.

Defra will recognise training carried out in Ireland for the purpose of granting driver and attendant certificates of competence.

If you have an Irish certificate of competence, you can apply to APHA by completing an application form. You’ll need to provide a copy of your training and assessment, and your valid certificate of competence.

More about recognition for professionals outside the UK