Definition of Terms
- Detailed definitions covering caretakers, handlers, haulers, carriers, cages, vehicles, restraints, traders, and relevant procedures.
- Clarifies roles and equipment related to safe transportation of live animals.
Delineation of Responsibilities
- Owners/managers: Ensure animal health, certification compliance, competent caretakers, appropriate equipment.
- Caretakers/handlers: Responsible for humane handling during all transport phases.
- Carriers: Select suitable vehicles, trained staff, emergency plans, and Journey Plan documentation.
- Drivers: Ensure vehicle safety, roadworthiness, and traffic compliance.
- Facility operators: Provide suitable loading/unloading premises, feed/water, and vehicle disinfection.
- Authorities: Inspect animals, issue necessary certificates and permits, ensure compliance with relevant laws.
Considerations During Transport/Travel
- Loading/unloading: Use safe equipment; prevent injury from improper handling or equipment.
- Prohibited acts: Ban lifting/suspension by body parts, use of electric prods; mandate proper containment.
- Expressway animal control: Operators must implement safety guidelines, stray animal control and care, reporting and proper handling including euthanasia when necessary.
- Methods of restraint: Must be species appropriate.
- Protection against extreme weather: Minimize journey stops, provide shade and ventilation.
- Hygiene: Regular removal of waste during travel.
- Wildlife transport: Requires official DENR CITES documents.
- Post-journey animal handling: Immediate unloading into appropriate facilities, prohibit rough treatment, require cleaning and disinfection of transport equipment.
Other Provisions
- Journey planning: Specify loading/unloading points and route; provide diet and water; limit continuous travel to 12 hours.
- Journey Plan: Prepared in triplicate for carrier, driver, and receiver; submitted to authority.
- Vehicle standards: Equipped with communication devices, first aid kits, smooth fittings, protection from weather, good ventilation, and appropriate labels.
- Roll-On/Roll-Off Vessel Transport: Requires secure fastening and adequate ventilation.
Coordination with Other Laws and Agencies
- Applies relevant DA administrative orders and laws like RA 2000.
- DA coordinates with police, army, local government, environment and transport departments to harmonize rules.
Penal Provisions
- Violations subject to penalties under RA 8485 (Animal Welfare Act).
Separability Clause
- Invalid provisions do not affect the enforceability of other provisions.
Repealing Clause
- Supersedes conflicting Department of Agriculture orders.
Effectivity
- Effectivity 15 days after publication in a general circulation newspaper.