Apply for authorisation as a transport company

Once you have submitted the required documents, they will be reviewed by the veterinary office and your details documented. You will then receive your licence if you meet the requirements.

• Requirements that you must fulfil in order to obtain a type 1 permit (transport duration up to 8 hours):
  • You are based in Germany or have a representative in Germany.
  • You have demonstrated that you have sufficient and suitable personnel as well as sufficient and appropriate equipment and procedures.
  • You or your representatives are not known to have committed serious infringements of Community and/or national animal welfare legislation in the last three years. If your veterinary office is of the opinion that you have sufficiently demonstrated that you have taken all necessary measures to avoid further infringements, an authorisation may still be granted.

• Requirements that you must fulfil in order to obtain a type 2 permit (transport duration longer than 8 hours):
  • They fulfil all the requirements for type 1 approval.
  • You have submitted valid certificates of competence for all drivers and attendants used for long journeys.
  • You have submitted valid authorisation certificates for all road transport vehicles to be used for long journeys.
  • You have submitted details of your procedures for recording and tracking your road vehicles.
  • You have submitted details of your procedures for keeping in constant contact with your drivers.
  • They have submitted contingency plans that come into effect in urgent cases

• Application for authorisation as a transport company
• The following certificates and declarations are required for type 1 authorisation:
  • Proof of sufficient and suitable personnel
  • Proof of sufficient and appropriate equipment
  • Declaration that you or your representatives have not committed any serious offences against Community and/or national animal welfare legislation in the last three years
  • Declaration that you or your representatives have not applied for an authorisation from any other competent authority in Germany or a Member State

• The following certificates are also required for type 2 authorisation:
  • Certificates of competence for all drivers and attendants used for long journeys
  • Valid certificates of approval for all road transport vehicles used for long journeys
  • Proof that you can track and record the movements of your road vehicles and maintain constant contact with drivers
  • Emergency plans that come into effect in urgent cases

Please ask your local veterinary office whether you need to submit further documents.

Cost ordinance for official acts of the veterinary administration

• Animal Welfare Transport Ordinance (TierSchTrV)
• Animal Welfare Act (TierSchG)
• Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 of 22 December 2004 on the protection of animals during transport and related operations and amending Directives 64/432/EEC and 93/119/EC and Regulation (EC) No 1255/97

• Contradiction
• Action before the administrative court

Forms available: Yes

Written form required: Yes

Informal application possible: No

• Animal transport is subject to requirements to ensure animal welfare during transport. According to Art. 3 of Regulation (EC) No. 1/2005, no person may carry out or arrange for the transport of animals if this could cause injury or unnecessary suffering to the animals.
• In addition, the following conditions must be met:
• Prior to transport, all necessary precautions were taken to minimise the duration of the journey and to take account of the animals' needs during transport.
• The animals are fit for transport.
• The means of transport are designed, built and maintained and are used in such a way that the animals are spared injury and suffering and their safety is guaranteed.
• The loading and unloading equipment is designed, constructed and maintained and used in such a way as to avoid injury and suffering to the animals and to ensure their safety.
• The persons handling the animals are appropriately trained or qualified to do so and do not use force or other methods in the performance of their duties that could unnecessarily frighten the animals or cause them unnecessary injury or suffering.
• Transport to the destination is carried out without delay and the welfare of the animals is regularly checked and maintained in an appropriate manner.
• The animals have sufficient floor space and standing height according to their size and the planned transport.
• The animals are provided with water and food of a quality and quantity appropriate to their species and size at appropriate intervals and are allowed to rest.

• Application for authorisation as a transport company in accordance with the Animal Welfare Transport Ordinance
• A licence as a transport operator from the competent veterinary office is required for the transport of animals before starting work
• A distinction is made between two authorisations
• a type 1 authorisation for transports with a duration of up to 8 hours and a type 2 authorisation for transports with a duration of more than 8 hours (long transport).
• The locally competent veterinary office (veterinary office in whose area of responsibility the company or business premises are operated or the profession or activity is or is to be exercised) is responsible.

Hessian Ministry of Economics, Energy, Transport and Housing