Trading Standards is responsible for issuing animal movement licences and ensuring that animal welfare standards are maintained during transportation.

New EU regulations for transporting animals came into force on 5 January 2007. It is the responsibility of farmers, hauliers and transporters of horses, livestock, poultry and game birds to ensure that they are aware of these rules and procedures and follow them.

Should an animal die during transport, there is a legal duty on the part of the transporter to alert local Trading Standards to the death, in order to ascertain cause of death and help prevent the spread of disease. Movement of fish stocks are subject to different rules, regulated by the Environment Agency.

Trading standards is also responsible for monitoring animal feed hygiene, in order to safeguard public health. Producers of animal feed are subject to regulation and any enquiries relating to animal feed production in the Essex area can be made directly to Trading Standards on 0845 603 7626.

Trading Standards is not responsible for monitoring dead birds and animals for the presence of avian flu, swine flu, Bluetongue or foot and mouth. Any questions relating to these conditions should be communicated in the first instance to DEFRA. 

Get more information from the Trading Standards Business Guides.