[gavin davies]

Hi everyone pigs are booked in for thier final journey in 3 weeks time would I be able to take them in a horse box or do I have to have a proper livestock trailer thanks in advance

[shygirl]

we have always used a pony trailer but i think its illegal as it has no side gates on the ramp.

[hughesy]

My livestock trailer doesn't have any side gates either.

[kja]

trailers should have loading gates.

we were once held up at the slaughterhouse by trading standards taking down a guys details because he had  no loading gates.

[Possum]

I've seen pigs coming out of the back of a transit van.   Why don't you check with the abattoir to see what they think is acceptable?

[Berkshire Boy]

Mine always go in a horse box no gates. I back right up and use the lairage gates as ramp gates.

[gavin davies]

Thanks for the replies thats what I was told by a friend because horse boxes dont have the sides in it it cant be used think I will phone them on monday to find out

[Hassle]

The law says that there must be some form of lateral protection to prevent the animal escaping. Euro69655 iirc

Now on the angle of the back door which needs to be no greater than 20% it says it must be a built in part so that means you can't carry a couple of bricks to make the departure ramp more shallow.

However the same is not said of the lateral protection.  So if you use the regulations that means you could back up and roll a couple of biffa bins either side and you'd be complying.  Or some sheep hurdles and orange string.

However most people who are in a position of power don't like the real regulations quoted to them and prefer to stick to their understanding. So you'd be better off phoning whomever you are going to.

[gavin davies]

I understand there there has to be rules and regulations with everything or the world will be even more of a crazy place but I think the farming industry must have millions of rules and reg and although most of them are for the right reasons I think the big wigs that make some of them up lack the most important think in life COMMON SENSE I only have 3 pigs on a allotment plot but I have total respect for anyone that has a smallholding or farm as it must be so difficult to keep up with everything that they put in place

[hughesy]

A couple of weeks ago I saw a pig arrive at the abattoir in the back of a vauxhall frontera! I saw how it came out but I'd love to have seen how the hell he got it in there!

[oaklandspigs]

Legally if you arrive at the abattoir without loading gates, then the State Vet can condemn your pigs. 
Unlikely  to happen in practice, but I have heard of a beef animal being condemned this way.  You'll be charged for slaughter, of course you'll not get your meat back and then be charged again for disposal of the meat
So maybe a small risk, but one nevertheless, so up to you !
 
Gavin, the rules are nowadays made up in Brussels by guys who have never even seen a pig !
 
 
 
 

[hughesy]

Gavin, the rules are nowadays made up in Brussels by guys who have never even seen a pig !

And there lies the problem. If you use an abattoir a few times you'll get to know their routine and what they like and dislike.

[shygirl]

trailers should have loading gates.

we were once held up at the slaughterhouse by trading standards taking down a guys details because he had  no loading gates.

And there lies the problem. If you use an abattoir a few times you'll get to know their routine and what they like and dislike.

except Trading Standard are, i believe, council run - so if they turn up at the abattoir when you are there, itl be trouble, even if you have used the abattoir many times before.

[hughesy]

I reckon the bloke in the frontera would have just driven around the block a few times until they'd gone away . I've also seen a bloke who didn't like reversing grab lambs by the fleece and carry them into the lairage, jumping the queue at the same time! I suppose the TS might be more likely to visit if someone reported stuff like this.

[kja]

I reckon the bloke in the frontera would have just driven around the block a few times until they'd gone away . I've also seen a bloke who didn't like reversing grab lambs by the fleece and carry them into the lairage, jumping the queue at the same time! I suppose the TS might be more likely to visit if someone reported stuff like this.

we use 3 different slaughterhouses I have seen TS at all 3 (2 different counties). my mother has a friend that works for TS they usually spend the morning until all drop off's that have been booked in are present they usually take a few notes and ask you to sign their paperwork. nothing to worry about if you are up with the rules and regulations and comply with them.