[Bodger]

The saying goes, that you should learn something new every day and that's exactly what I've done today.
Yesterday, I did a six hour round journey to fetch Patrick the boar and I thought that by doing this, I'd broken the law. I haven't got a certificate to say that I'm up to transporting pigs for financial gain for journeys over 45 miles.  BUT I was wrong.
 Because there was just me and the one pig, apparently I'm exempt from the legislation. Yesterday I also had my mate Pugh with me, so going by the letter of the law, I could have actually brought two pigs home.
Just to show how much of an ass the law is, when in a few months time I take four pigs to the slaughter house, I need to have the same number of people in the car. One each to look after each pig!   

I enquired about obtaining a certificate of competence and was told that it was free but that the fee from the external body that arranges what amounts to a simple tick the box exam, would be around 60 to 70 quid. I live a good two hours away from the nearest slaughter house that can do pigs.
I keep just the one sow, so I wont be taking my test anytime soon but if any of you happen to fancy a run out in the countryside, then please let me know. 

[Fowgill Farm]

Yes the law is an ass.
When I enquired about the certificate they told me they'd looked at the journeys I make which are to half a dozen shows in the summer and 3 or 4 trips a year to the abattoir that I didn't need one especially as I am what they class as  a hobby keeper, they're really after the boys who ship lots of pigs around the markets & abattoirs. So long as you have a movement licence you should be ok.
all the best
Mandy

[Bodger]

The guy that I spoke to reckoned that I needed a certificate because my pigs aren't pets and that I sell a handful each year for the freezer. The abbatoir is nearly two hours away.

[Foobar]

You don't sell them, they are just for yours and your family's consumption.

[Pasture Farm]

I'm your mate bodge......or have you forgotten

[Bodger]

Not at all Kev but its a bit far for you to travel

[Fowgill Farm]

The guy that I spoke to reckoned that I needed a certificate because my pigs aren't pets and that I sell a handful each year for the freezer. The abbatoir is nearly two hours away.

If you keep business records and accounts and you go to the abattoir every week for these handful you sell then yes I would agree, but if you don't and they only got to family & friends then it is as my ever suffering says an alledgedly self financing  hobby     Some daft rules are for bending but I didn't say that 
Mandy

[hughesy]

On the last bit of the eaml2 form where you fill in the departure time etc it says something about Welfare of Animals Transport Orders, and that completing the details of departure time, duration etc covers the obligations. Is this the same thing or some other bullsh1te?

[oaklandspigs]

On the last bit of the eaml2 form where you fill in the departure time etc it says something about Welfare of Animals Transport Orders, and that completing the details of departure time, duration etc covers the obligations. Is this the same thing or some other bullsh1te?

Same bullsh1te, but not all legally required. I had a meeting with Defra and NPA on this, but they weren't keen to change it.  You are legally required to provide departure date under WATO/EU1/2005, but not time, nor expected duration, nor are you required to provide registration number.  This of course contravenes the data protection act, but I ran out of steam to keep pursuing these idiots.

[shygirl]

i got my 8 hr license for free by filling in a form.

[Fowgill Farm]

i got my 8 hr license for free by filling in a form.

Shygirl think you are across the border where the rules & regs are different as by all accounts your almost a different country  The rest of us in Wales & England have to put up with the numpties in suits who run DEFRA! 
Mandy

[Tudful Tamworths]

I think you may be confusing the Transporter Authorisation (free and valid for five years) with the Certificate of Competency (fee payable). You need both if you fall into the category of someone moving pigs for financial gain.

[Bodger]

No. I know the certificate is free but its the taking of the exam to obtain it that costs. They're not the same thing.

[Tudful Tamworths]

There are two separate things. The Transporter Authorisation from Animal Health is free. To get the Certificate of Competence, you have to sit a test, and there is a fee. You need BOTH bits of paper.

[Fowgill Farm]

Touch wood    I have never ever been asked to produce any form of transportation documents other than a valid EAML when moving pigs and we have taken pigs from Yorkshire to Gloucestershire and from Essex to Yorkshire in our time.
Its up to you, how many times a year do you go to the abbattoir? We go approx 3X we don't 'sell' our pork but people make a 'donation' to our feed costs   Its up to the authorities to prove you're doing it for commercial gain as far as anyone is concerned its your hobby and the porks for you.
If however you shout your sales from the rooftops & go to the abbattoir every month you ARE a business and you need the right paperwork.
Just my opinion for what its worth.
Mandy