[Muc]

Anyone know what distance is too far for transporting weaners (8 weeks approx). It seems that the better deals are proportionately more distant from me. Is a two-hour journey too much?

[Berkshire Boy]

No 2 hours is fine, they will snuggle up in the straw and sleep most of the way. Just check them occasionally for water I tend not to give them food as I've had some car sick.

[Fowgill Farm]

Agree with BB, we've brought weaners up from essex to yorkshire which is over 3hrs, if you're putting them in a trailer partition part of it off if you can so they don't rattle round too much, plenty of straw. Try to collect in the morning if you can as then it gives them the rest of the day to recover when you get back. Stop halfway and just check they're ok, as BB says most just sleep most of the way though they do tend to poo a bit! If you're transporting in an estate or 4x4 provide shade as even on a cold day sun thro glass can be very hot (same as transporting dogs really) all common sense.
Hope all goes well
best Mandy 

[Muc]

Thanks for that guys. I'm making a crate to put in the trailer and will stop to give them a rest and a drink halfway - might have a cup of tea myself.

[Bionic]

Muc,
I am picking up 2 weaners on 5th May.  They are about an hour from home and I intend to use a dog crate with some straw and a tarp underneath to catch the smellies 

Sally

[Muc]

A friend has offered to collect them in the back of his LandRover. He doesn't mind the smell, he says, but I'd be the one with the head out the window all the way.
 I think I'll stick with the trailer with the box inside.
 Just a thought. Would a barrel on its side, half filled with straw be too small?

[princesspiggy]

we travelled 4.5 hrs no problem, and they slept. they werent smelly either. if u want smelly, try turkeys 

[ZacB]

As this sounds a greater distance than 65km, Type 1 transporter authorisation required 

http://www.defra.gov.uk/publications/files/pb12544d-pigs-080711.pdf

[Derby_menagerie]

Are the cheaper prices really worth it when you factor in diesel costs? It is worth considering really, I'm in Derby got one set weaners from Lincoln (about 2 hours) adds about a tenner a pig! Got the next lot from the farm down the road, he dropped them off, no diesel used! Getting a set of 'weaners' (actually 3 months old) next week ,different farm, about 3 miles away, diesel cost will be nothing as it is on the way back from the abattoir. The other thing to think about is most people will knock a bit of cash off if you are taking more than 2, so if you have the space that's worth considering. In my opinion the 65km will probably not apply under the 1 person 1 animal if 2 in the car rule!   

[oaklandspigs]

As this sounds a greater distance than 65km, Type 1 transporter authorisation required 

http://www.defra.gov.uk/publications/files/pb12544d-pigs-080711.pdf

There is a useful exemption from Defra in their general guidance

http://www.defra.gov.uk/publications/files/pb13550-wato-guidance.pdf

See section 1.5 and 1.6 these state :

1.5 In May 2007, we made a decision to ‘exclude’ from the scope of the Regulation journeys in which an individual animal is transported with its owner/ keeper from the rules set out in the Regulation. This ‘single animal exemption’ is carried over from the previous legislation and is not reflected in the current EU legislation. However, the European Commission is aware that we have asked local authorities and Animal Health to retain this ‘exemption’ in practice.
1.6 Historically, the ‘exemption’ has also been taken as applying to journeys where two animals are accompanied by two people, up to a limit of four animals/four people. This was to accommodate those who are transporting carriage horses for driving competitions or shows. We have asked local authorities and Animal Health to continue to apply the ‘exemption’ in this way.

Trading Standards should be aware of this (and these are the only people that will query this), but suggest you print the regs and take them with you.  By the by this is interpreted as adults, so you can't stuff the car with three screaming kids and 4 weaners.

[Muc]

The DEFRA regs are only common sense and I could see nothing that would prevent the transport of two weaners in a  box in a Land Rover other than that the ramp must be at an angle of 38.5% but as no ramp is involved that is irrelevant.

There is a requirement to hold a "Type 1 transporter authorisation" and to ensure that drivers and attendants are in possession of a certificate of competence. It is not explained what these documents are and how they are obtained.

[suziequeue]

We use a dog crate with plenty of straw. I brought our weaners back in my VW Polo this time. No smell. They slept snuggled all the way. We've got a trailer but the extra petrol needed to drag a big trailer all that way just for two little weaners didn't justify the extra expense for me. I'm a tight wad when it comes to petrol.

[Billy Rhomboid]

There is a requirement to hold a "Type 1 transporter authorisation" and to ensure that drivers and attendants are in possession of a certificate of competence. It is not explained what these documents are and how they are obtained.

http://www.defra.gov.uk/forms/2011/03/30/wit1-uk-animaltransport/

Nothing too onerous in there. Good job i read this link though as I have some sheep to fetch and was unaware of the 65m limit. Application printed off.

[oaklandspigs]

There is a requirement to hold a "Type 1 transporter authorisation" and to ensure that drivers and attendants are in possession of a certificate of competence. It is not explained what these documents are and how they are obtained.

http://www.defra.gov.uk/forms/2011/03/30/wit1-uk-animaltransport/

Nothing too onerous in there. Good job i read this link though as I have some sheep to fetch and was unaware of the 65m limit. Application printed off.

The type 1 transporter is just a piece of paper you need to get.

The certificate of competance is a whole different matter.  You need to sit an exam - species specific so one for pigs, one for sheep, one for cattle, one for birds etc.

27 pointless multiple choice questions that you will pass unless you have problems with computers (yes you sit at a PC and click the answers) or have probelms with reading, both of which of course many professional hauliers do!

And of course it costs (mine was £65 five years ago).

http://www.nptc.org.uk/latest-news/detail.asp?dsid=182

Map of centres

http://www.nptc.org.uk/assessment-centres/default.asp?county=none

[Muc]

I see that it is only required by those transporting animals 'as an economic activity'.
There's nothing economic about my activities.