[HenryVigne]

Hi all

It's still a way off, but I'm thinking about getting my 3 pigs to the abattoir when the day comes. I will need to travel to Grantown-on-Spey abattoir, which is just under 30 miles from home. My main question is this, are there any regulations regarding the trailer you use, its size, construction etc - will it be inspected and does it need to be of a certain standard? The trailer is in good strong condition and can carry up to a ton, it's of wooden construction (steel chassis and framework), the internal dimensions are 8 foot x 3foot 4 inches. I plan to line the floor area and ramp with rubber matting to make it easier and less slippy for the pigs - also easier to pressure wash afterwards. Also, does the ramp need to have side barriers on it?

I think that's it - any other thoughts would be really useful! Thanks all.

[harmony]

These are the guidelines specific to pigs  http://adlib.everysite.co.uk/resources/000/263/151/PB12544d.pdf


The ramp angle is important as too steep or slippy the pigs won't like it but your rubber matting will be good. The ramp doesn't need gates although they are useful but parking by the wall and using a hurdles will help channel the pigs in. Feed them in there a few times before to get them used to it. Nobody inspects as such but obviously you wouldn't set off in something not safe.

[Marches Farmer]

A piece of old carpet on the ramp works well.  Feed them in the trailer for a couple of days beforehand and be prepared to spend as much time as necessary loading on the day.  Pigs do not take kindly to being loaded in a hurry and some find heavy rain or high winds, as well as a dark trailer, to be most disagreeable.

[harmony]

When doing anything with animals give them the impression you have all day. Give them the impression you have five minutes and it will take all day!

[oaklandspigs]

The trailer DOES have to have gates - it comes under PART 2E – ROAD VEHICLE and TRAILER and CONTAINER SPECIFICATION and GUIDANCE for CONSTRUCTION  of EU regulation 1/2005 which says that you need Barriers to prevent falling when loading/unloading.

if you google
'PART 2E – ROAD VEHICLE and TRAILER and CONTAINER SPECIFICATION and GUIDANCE for CONSTRUCTION' you'll find a link which has all the stuff in it that you can check your trailer against.

[HenryVigne]

Thanks for all of your advice - looks like the trailer is going to need some modifications!

[Sbom]

We have always taken our pigs in an old pony trailer with no side gates. Never had a problem.

[sabrina]

You will need gates if going to Millers as you cannot get right up to the door.

[jward]

We've taken pigs in our old horse trailer too, they just come out with boards to guide them down the ramp.

[devonlady]

I take mine in a 6x4  trailer, no side gates. The abattoir wall and a metal gate to the other side is all we need. It helps if your pigs are tame and friendly and will follow you with a bucket or a couple of apples.

[harmony]

My small and old trailer has no gates and I see all sorts of trailers turning up with stock at the abattoir and auctions. The heighest point of the ramp is no greater than the step in the yard outside the shed BUT the question was what regulations does a trailer need to meet so I guess it is up to Henry to decide how far he wants to go with his trailer modifications.

[oaklandspigs]

Yes you can take your pigs to the abattoir without sidegates, you can also drive there at greater than 30mph through the towns, with no insurance, taking on your mobile, and with your seatbelt off. You can do all these things, but they are not legal :-)

The question was what were the regulations, which was what I answered, not what can you get away with.

If you do not have sidegates, the State Veterinary Service can (can not will!) condemn your animal as not being transported legally.  It is then offloaded, killed, blue die stained, and the carcass sent to the incinerator.  The abattoir will bill you not only for the kill, but also the cost of disposal, and of course you end up with no meat  We know of two cases where this has happened with cattle.  It generally doesn't but you take a risk. 

[HenryVigne]

Thanks all - good to know exactly what the regs are Oaklandpigs, i think that i can reasonably easily fit some side gates to the trailer, and they will no doubt help in the unloading of the pigs, and keep any over zealous officials happy   

[verdifish]

Having taken a few pigs to Granton trust me they arnt that strict .ive seen pigs arrive I the back of a Mitsubishi L200 unloaded onto their high ramp ! Not an eye was battered or a word said !!!

[mowhaugh]

It's all very well saying the abattoir isn't that strict, or whatever, but if you happen to take your pigs on a day tradig standards happen to be inspecting, I think you might find things are different - is it really worth the risk?  Although there are loads of rules and regs which seem silly and pointless, the vast majority of those relating to animal transport really do make things better and safer for animals and handlers.  It's not that hard to make some side gates, and it will be time well spent in time saved in future.  Good luck with your pigs, HenryVigne.