Animal Transport License
The animal transport license (dierenvervoersvergunning) is a mandatory permit for businesses transporting live animals over distances longer than 65 kilometers or longer than 8 hours. This license is issued by the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) and ensures animal welfare during transport.
Professional transporters who regularly transport animals for commercial purposes are required to apply for this license. The license applies to both domestic transport within the Netherlands and cross-border transport within the European Union. In addition to the license, a valid transport document (journey log) is mandatory for each transport.
Requirements
- Valid transport document: A journey log must be present for each animal transport.
- Qualified personnel: Drivers and handlers must hold a certificate of competence for transporting animals.
- Suitable vehicles: Vehicles must meet requirements for animal transport, including adequate ventilation, space, and protection.
- Animal welfare: Transport must comply with all EU regulations on the protection of animals during transport (Regulation (EC) No 1/2005).
Procedure
- Submit application: Apply for the license with the NVWA using the official application form.
- Review and inspection: The NVWA may inspect your business, vehicles, and procedures to verify compliance with all requirements.
- Obtain license: Upon approval, you will receive the animal transport license, which is typically valid for 5 years.
- Vehicle certificate: In addition to the license, you also need a vehicle certificate for each transport vehicle (see animal transport vehicle certificate).
Restrictions
- Transport duration: For long-distance transport (more than 8 hours), additional requirements apply, such as rest and care stops.
- Animal species: Specific rules may apply depending on the animal species (e.g., cattle, poultry, horses).
- Enforcement: In case of violations, the license may be revoked and fines may be imposed.