Accompanying Export Documentation

1. Official Veterinarians (OVs) will receive Journey Logs to accompany export documentation (where applicable) from Centre for International Trade - Carlisle (CITC) for Exports.

2. OV actions with Journey Logs are dependent on the method of receipt of the export documentation from CITC.

3. Where export documentation is received by post and a Journey Log is included the OV must give the Journey Log to the exporter/transporter with the export documentation, upon completion of the required examination and certification procedures.

4. Do not present the Journey Log to the exporter/transporter before completion of certification procedures.

5. Where export documentation is received by email and a Journey Log is included the OV must authorise the Journey Log as part of the export certification procedures.

6. During the certification procedures, to authorise the Journey Log the OV must:

• check they have received an Authority for OV Stamping a Journey Log document (WIT30)
• check the Authority document (WIT30) is still within its validity date
• add their OV stamp, in a colour other than black, to the Journey Log in the “Animal Health Office Stamp (Office Use Only)” box
• add their initials and the date within the stamp added to the Journey Log.

7. Details of the journey that takes place are recorded in sections 2 to 5 of the Journey Log. Therefore no amendments/alterations, other than the OV authorisation procedure, are permitted to section 1 of the Journey Log.

Additional Checks by an Official Veterinarian

1. Section 2 of the Journey Log is completed at the place of departure of the export consignment.

2. Boxes 1-7 are completed by the keeper of the animals.

3. Boxes 8-11 are an optional declaration for the OV to complete if present at point of loading, to state the animals loaded were fit for transport and the transport practices were in accordance with the provisions of Council Regulation (EC) No. 1/2005.

4. There is no legal requirement for the OV to be present at point of loading and therefore completion of boxes 8-11 of the Journey Log is not a mandatory requirement for OVs.

5. The regulations for the transport of young and unweaned animals must be in accordance with Annex I of Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005.

Cold Weather Procedures

1. Newly shorn sheep can only be presented for any journey, including export journeys, during the period from 1 November to 31 March:

• if they have a staple growth of at least 7.0mm (this may be achieved either by allowing re-growth or by shearing with a suitable long comb) and
• if the sheep have not been shorn less than 24 hours before the start of the journey

2. Inspectors are required to ensure that all provisions on the vehicle, required to safeguard the welfare of the animals during hot and/or cold weather are well maintained and functional.

3. Inspectors can take appropriate regulatory action if necessary by serving a Statutory Notice (WIT08) to protect the welfare of the animals if it is considered that the animals are being or about to be transported in a way likely to cause unnecessary suffering.

4. A copy of any notice served needs to be sent to the Welfare in Transport Team.

5. Official Veterinarians (OVs) will receive a copy of the relevant cold weather letter (WT13/WT13(Welsh)) addressed to the transporter, when issued with export paperwork.