No. 39/1927:

TRANSIT OF ANIMALS ORDER OF 1927.

TRANSIT OF ANIMALS ORDER OF 1927.

Dated 4th April, 1927.

The Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction, by virtue and in exercise of the powers vested in them under the Agriculture and Technical Instruction (Ireland) Act, 1899, the Diseases of Animals Acts, 1894 to 1914, and of every other power enabling them in this behalf, do, with the concurrence of the Minister for Lands and Agriculture, hereby order :—

1 Interpretation.

1. —In this Order, unless the context otherwise requires :—

"Animals" except where it is otherwise expressly stated, means cattle, sheep, goats, all other ruminating animals, and swine.

"Approved" except where otherwise stated, means approved by the Department.

"Approved Disinfectant" means either a five per cent. solution of standard phenol, or a disinfectant approved by the Department for the purposes of this Order, if used at the dilution at which such disinfectant is so approved.

"Cattle" means bulls, oxen, cows, heifers, springers and calves.

"Springer" means a cow or heifer heavy in calf.

"Disease" except where it is otherwise expressly stated, means anthrax, cattle-plague (that is to say rinderpest, or the disease commonly called cattle plague), contagious pleuro-pneumonia of cattle, foot-and-mouth disease, sheep-pox, sheep-scab and swine fever.

"Fodder" means hay or other substance commonly used for food for animals.

"Litter" means straw or other substance commonly used for bedding or otherwise for or about animals.

"Master" includes a person having the charge or command of a vessel (other than a pilot).

"Dealer" means a person engaged in the business of purchasing animals with a view to selling or exporting them immediately.

"Person" includes a body corporate.

"Port" includes place.

"The Act of 1894" means the Diseases of Animals Act, 1894.

"The Department" means the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction

Other terms have the same meaning as in the Act of 1894.

2.—The provisions of this Order relating to vessels and animals carried on vessels shall, except where it is otherwise expressly stated, apply to any vessel on which animals are carried (a) from a port in the Irish Free State to any other port in the Irish Free State; (b) from a port in the Irish Free State to a port in Northern Ireland, Great Britain, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man, and (c) to a port in the Irish Free State from a port in Northern Ireland, Great Britain, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man, and the said provisions shall also apply to the animals carried on any such vessel as aforesaid.

PART I. PROTECTION OF ANIMALS.

3.—Animals shall not be carried on vessels to which this Order applies unless the vessels are fitted in accordance with the provisions of this Article.

Parts of Vessel to be used.

(i) Animals other than sheep or pigs shall not be carried on the bridge or shelter deck. Pigs shall not be carried on the bridge or shelter deck between each first day of November and the next following thirty-first day of March (both days inclusive).

(ii) Animals may be carried on the main deck and decks below the main deck with the following exceptions :—

( a ) In-calf cows and springers shall be carried on the main deck only ; and milch cows shall also be carried on the main deck as far as they may be there accommodated without necessitating the removal therefrom of any in-calf cow or springer;

( b ) Between each first day of November and the next following thirty-first day of March (both days inclusive) animals shall not be carried on the main deck forward unless they are protected from exposure to the weather or the sea by an overhead covering and such other protection as may be approved by the Department;

( c ) Animals shall not be carried on the open main deck unless the bulwarks are at least six feet in height;

( d ) Animals shall not be carried on the forecastle head.

(iii) Animals shall not be carried on any hatch above a compartment where other animals are carried, and shall in no other case be carried on hatches unless the coamings are flush with the deck.

(iv) Animals shall not be carried in any part of the vessel where, in the ordinary course of navigation, they would interfere with the proper management or ventilation of the vessel, or with the efficient working of the boats.

(v) All animals shall be carried in pens, unless they are confined in a suitable crate, box or other receptacle. A crate, box or other receptacle used for this purpose shall be so secured or fixed as to prevent its displacement by the motion of the vessel, and shall be so placed as to admit a proper supply of fresh air to the animals carried. Crates, boxes, or other receptacles containing animals shall not be carried in tiers.

Pens and Fittings of Vessels.

(vi) On vessels fitted for animals after the date of this Order, the pens and fittings shall be constructed in accordance with the specifications prescribed in the First Schedule to this Order.

(vii) On vessels already in use for the carriage of animals at the date of this Order, no pen shall exceed ten feet in length and nine feet in breadth, and the stanchions of each pen shall be securely fastened to the deck by means of iron sockets or other proved method, and the materials used in the construction of the pens shall be of a substantial character and of sufficient strength to withstand the action of the weather, and to resist the weight of animals thrown against them.

(viii) Ship's fittings likely to cause injury or unnecessary suffering to animals shall be properly and securely fenced off, and all pens shall be entirely free of obstructions.

(ix) The floor of each pen shall, in order to prevent slipping, be fitted with suitable battens or other proper footholds securely fastened to or through the deck, and shall be strewn with a proper quantity of sand or other suitable substance.

(x) Animals while on a vessel shall be protected against injury or unnecessary suffering from undue exposure to the weather. When sheep or pigs are carried on the bridge or shelter deck, unless the sides and fore end of each deck are close boarded, weather screens made of canvas shall be laced along the whole length of the pens, outside the ship's rails from the height of the top rail to deck level, and also across the fore end of the deck, sufficiently towards the centre of the deck from each side to afford adequate protection to the animals.

Passageways.

(xi) In respect of every vessel already in use for the carriage of animals at the date of this Order, every part of the vessel where animals are penned shall be provided with one or more passage ways leading from the hatchway or entrance to such part of the vessel and giving direct access to each pen. Each passage-way shall be of a minimum width of one foot six inches, and be kept free from obstruction.

(xii) On every vessed fitted for animals after the date of this Order, there shall be provided a continuous fore-and-aft passage-way, of a minimum width of one foot six inches, running in front of every pen for its entire length ; the passageway shall be free from obstruction and shall be at deck level, but this requirement shall not be deemed to prevent the inclusion in the passage-ways of such essential ship's fittings as may be approved. There shall also be provided an athwartships passageway of the same width communicating with the two fore-and-aft passage- ways in each compartment, except where the hatch provides suitable passage ways.

On the main deck the passageway shall be continued the length of the main deck and through the poop space, except that, where animals are carried only on the forward main deck and after main deck, and the central space has bulkheads at forward and after ends, it shall be sufficient for the passageways to be continuous on the forward and after main deck, respectively.

Ventilation.

(xiii) (a) All parts of every vessel in or on which animals are carried shall be sufficiently and suitably ventilated. On vessels already in use for the carriage of animals at the date of this Order, all such parts if below deck shall (unless the vessel be exempted by the Department from this requirement), in addition to any ventilation obtained by means of the hatchways, be provided with centrifugal rotary fans or other mechanical means of ventilation, for the removal of foul air, and for the admission of a proper supply of fresh air at least twenty times in each hour.

On vessels fitted for animals after the date of this Order, ventilation shall be provided for each compartment on each deck, and in addition, to any ventilation obtained by means of the hatchways, there shall be in each enclosed compartment mechanical means of ventilation by electric fans or otherwise, of sufficient capacity entirely to change the air in each compartment once every three minutes.

(b) The owner or charterer of each vessel shall take all necessary steps to ensure that the mechanical means of ventilation required by the foregoing paragraph is kept in proper working order.

Light.

(xiv) All parts of the vessel over which the animals pass or in which they are penned shall be properly lighted and arrangements shall be made for the provision at all times of adequate light for the proper tending of the animals. On every vessel fitted for animals after the date of this Order, an adequate supply of electric light shall be provided by means of lights placed not more than twenty feet apart, each light to be of not less than 30 watts.

Food and Water.

(xv) Animals carried on a vessel for a voyage which on an average takes more than eighteen hours shall be provided while on board with a sufficient amount of suitable food and water. and proper accommodation shall be provided on board for the stowage of the food so that the same shall not be unduly exposed to the weather at sea.

Securing of Bulls and certain other Cattle.

(xvi) All bulls, fat horned cattle, fat cows, and fat heifers, in-calf cows, in-calf heifers and milch cows shall, while being carried on a vessel, be securely tied by the head or neck in the following manner, namely :—

( a ) the cattle in each pen shall be tied athwartships so as to face the passageway giving access to the pen ;

( b ) the tying shall be by means of a head rope passing through a hole in the top pen-bord.

Separation of mixed Consignments.

(xvii) The following classes of animals shall be carried in separate pens according to their classes, namely—horned cattle, polled cattle, calves, sheep, goats, and swine; and no two classes shall be carried in the same pen; but this provision shall not apply to the conveyance of a cow with its unweaned calf, if they are separated from other animals. Store horned cattle and store polled cattle may, however, be carried in the same pen if all the animals in that pen are tied in the manner prescribed in paragraph (xvi).

Attendance.

(xviii) Each vessel carrying animals shall have one experienced cattleman, and a sufficient number of attendants to tend the animals properly.

Shorn Sheep.

(xix) Between each first day of November and the next following thirtieth day of April (both days inclusive), shorn sheep shall not be carried on any open or exposed deck, except where they were last shorn more than sixty days before being so carried.

Saving for Ferry Boats, etc.

(xx) The foregoing provisions of this Article shall not extend to the carriage of animals on a vessel across an arm of the sea or over any ferry, or on a river, canal, or other inland water, but the fittings of the vessel shall be such as to protect, as far as practicable, the animals so carried from injury and unnecessary suffering and as far as practicable provision shall be made in order to prevent slipping by strewing the deck with sand or other suitable substance.

Returns as to Casualties.

(xxi) The owner or charterer of a vessel on which animals are carried shall keep a record of all animals which have died or have been killed or seriously injured, and of all cows which have calved, while on such vessel, and shall at the end of every month make a return to the Department showing the total number of each class of animals shipped on each voyage and whether any, and, if so, how many animals died or were killed or injured, or calved, on each voyage, and the cause of such death, slaughter, or injury.

Approaches, Gangways and other Apparatus.

(xxii) Approaches, gangways, passageways, cages and other apparatus used for the loading or unloading or movement of animals on or from a vessel shall be so constructed that injury or unnecessary suffering shall not be caused to the animals.

Drainage.

(xxiii) Suitable provision shall be made for draining the urine and surface water from all parts of the vessel used for the carriage of animals. On every vessel fitted for animals after the date of this Order provision shall be made by means of tanks, bilges, wells or otherwise to drain off the urine and the water used for washing down the decks below.

Overcrowding.

(xxiv) The vessel shall not be overcrowded in any part or pen so as to cause injury or unnecessary suffering to the animals thereon. A pen shall be deemed overcrowded if there be not available sufficient room for an attendant to move freely across the pen at one end.

Handling of Animals during Embarkation and Debarkation.

(xxv) In the handling of any animal in the course of embarkation or debarkation a goad of a pattern approved by an Inspector of the Department shall alone be used, and the animals shall not be beaten with sticks. Any person failing to comply with these provisions shall be deemed guilty of an offence against the Act of 1894.

Injured Animals.

(xxvi) If any animal on a vessel has a limb broken or is otherwise seriously injured the master of the vessel shall forthwith cause the animal to be slaughtered unless he is satisfied that it can be kept alive and led away without cruelty. The person in charge of the animal shall forthwith report the injury to the master of the vessel.

Approved Killing Instruments.

(xxvii) Every vessel on which any animal is carried shall carry a proper killing instrument discharging a bullet or captive bolt and approved by the Department, and it shall be the duty of the owner and master of every such vessel to see that the vessel is provided with such an instrument and with sufficient ammunition, and the master, if so required by an Inspector of the Department, shall produce the instrument and ammunition for his inspection.

Power to require Pens to be kept in Reserve.

(xxviii) An Inspector of the Department may at his discretion require certain of the pens on a vessel to remain empty in such positions as may seem to him desirable for the accommodation of any animals it may be necessary to remove from other pens during the voyage.

Unfavourable Weather.

(xxix) Animals shall not be carried on any voyage of a vessel if, in the judgment of the Master of such vessel, there are reasonable grounds for anticipating that owing to adverse weather conditions the voyage would be attended by serious injury or suffering to, or loss of life among, the animals.

Plans to be furnished in certain cases.

(xxx) In the case of vessels fitted or refitted for the carriage of animals after the date of this Order, the owners of the vessel if the vessel be registered in the Irish Free State shall cause the Department to be furnished with plans showing the general arrangement of the fittings, and a longitudinal section showing in detail the proposed fittings.

Power to Exempt.

(xxxi) The Department may exempt, subject to such conditions as they think fit, any vessel or part of a vessel from any of the foregoing provisions of this Article.

4.—All Milch cows and all cows and heifers in calf, while undergoing detention in a place of inspection for animals intended for exportation shall he accommodated in pens containing no other animals, and shall each be securely tied by the head or neck therein.

5.—No cow shall be permitted by the owner thereof, or his agent, or any person in charge thereof, to be embarked on a vessel for carriage thereon from any port in the Irish Free State to any port in Northern Ireland, Great Britain, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man, if the calving of the cow on the vessel or on landing is reasonably probable.

6.—No animal shall be permitted by the owner thereof, or his agent, or any person in charge thereof, to be embarked on a vessel for carriage thereon from any port in the Irish Free State, if, owing to infirmity, illness, injury, fatigue, or any other cause, it cannot be carried without unnecessary suffering during the intended passage.

7.—At every place where animals are put on board of or landed from vessels, provision shall be made, to the satisfaction of the Department, for a supply of water for the animals; and water shall be supplied there gratuitously to any animal on request of any person having charge of the animal.

8.—At every place where animals are landed from vessels, provision shall be made to the satisfaction of the Department for the speedy and convenient landing of the animals, and for a supply of food for them; and food shall be supplied there by the occupier of the landing place to any animal, on request of any person having charge of the animal, at such price, as the Department approve.

9.—When an animal at a place of landing or place adjacent thereto is affected with disease, that place and every other place where the animal is or since the landing has been shall not be used for any animals liable to be infected with the disease (other than animals brought thereto with that animal in the same vessel or otherwise) unless and until the place has been, as far as practicable, cleansed and disinfected to the satisfaction of an Inspector of the Department.

10. —If anything is done or omitted to be done in contravention of any of the provisions of Part I of this Order, the owner and the charterer and the master of the vessel—and the owner and the lessee and the occupier of the place where the animals are put on board or landed from vessels—and also, in the case of the overcrowding of a vessel in any part or pen, the consignor of the animals (as the case may be), shall, each according to and in respect of his own acts or omissions, be deemed guilty of an offence against the Act of 1894.

PART II. PROTECTION OF ANIMALS—RAIL TRANSIT.

11. —(1) No animal shall be carried by railway in a truck or other vehicle which is not in accordance with the provisions of this Article, unless the use of such truck or other vehicle, either generally or in specific cases, or in respect of a particular type of truck or vehicle or in respect of the carriage of a particular class of animal, is authorised by an exemption granted by the Department.

(2) Every truck or other vehicle shall be provided at each end with spring buffers, and the floor thereof, in order to prevent slipping, shall, in the case of a truck used for the carriage of cattle, be fitted with battens or other proper foot-holds, and in any other case either be so fitted or be strewn with a proper quantity of litter, or sand or other proper substance.

(3) The battens in a truck or other railway vehicle shall be placed across the vehicle, except between the doorways, where they shall be placed lengthways.

(4) The interior of every truck or other vehicle shall be free from any boltheads, angles or other projections likely to cause suffering to animals carried therein.

(5) Every truck for carrying animals shall be fitted with a roof, and with falling loading doors of a pattern approved by the Department and all internal projections shall be rounded.

(6) Every falling loading door and every gangway, passageway, loading or unloading board, shall be fitted with longitudinal battens or other proper footholds.

(7) Every truck or other vehicle shall be so constructed as to admit of ventilation and inspection at the floor level.

(8) Every truck or other vehicle shall be so constructed as to permit of its being cleansed and disinfected in the manner prescribed by this Order.

12. —(1) All bulls whether polled or not, shall, while being carried by railway, be securely tied by the head or neck immediately on entering the vehicle.

(2) All horned stock carried in the same railway truck or other railway vehicle with a bull shall, unless separated therefrom by a suitable partition, be securely tied by the head or neck.

13. —No cow shall be permitted by the owner thereof, or his agent, or any person in charge thereof , to be carried by railway if the calving of the cow during the transit by railway is reasonably probable.

14. —No animal shall be permitted by the owner thereof, or his agent, or any person in charge thereof, to be carried by railway if, owing to infirmity, illness, injury, fatigue, or any other cause, it cannot be carried without unnecessary suffering during the intended transit by railway.

15. —Calves, sheep, goats and swine, if carried in the same railway truck or other railway vehicle with any head of cattle (other than a calf), or a horse, ass or mule, shall be separated therefrom by a suitable partition, but this provision shall not apply to the conveyance of a cow with its unweaned calf, if they are separated from other animals.

16.—(1) A railway company shall not allow any railway truck or other railway vehicle or any compartment thereof used for carrying animals on the railway to be overcrowded so as to cause injury or unnecessary suffering to the animals therein.

(2) In each railway truck or other railway vehicle in which animals are carried, there shall be available sufficient room for an attendant to move freely across the vehicle at one end.

17. —Where a railway train comprises twenty-five or more vehicles containing animals, an additional vehicle shall be attached thereto for the purpose of conveying any animal or animals it may be necessary to remove from the other vehicles during the journey.

18. —Between each first day of November and the next following thirtieth day of April (both days inclusive) the sides of every railway truck or other railway vehicle in which shorn sheep are being carried shall be covered with tarpaulins or other suitable material in such a manner as to protect the sheep from the weather, without obstruction to proper ventilation; but this Article shall not apply to sheep last shorn more than sixty days before being so carried.

19. —At every railway station at which animals are commonly loaded, unloaded or detained during transit, the railway company or companies concerned shall make a provision of water to the satisfaction of the Department for the animals carried, or about to be or having been carried, on the railway, and such provision of water shall be easily accessible to the animals so carried.

20. —(1) Each railway company shall keep a record of all animals which die or are seriously injured, and of all cows which calve while in transit on the Company's system or under the Company's charge, and shall at the end of each week make a return to the Department of all such casualties.

(2) Each Railway Company shall furnish to the Department at the commencement of each week a return showing in respect of the previous week the day, the hour and place of despatch and arrival of each live stock train (including goods trains carrying live stock), with the number of wagons and the number of each kind of animal carried by each train.

21.— If anything is done or omitted to be done in contravention of any of the provisions of Part II of this Order, the owner of the animal or his agent—the railway company carrying the animals or owning or working the railway on which they are carried and also in the case of overcrowding of a railway truck or other railway vehicle, or any compartment thereof, or of the carrying on a railway of shorn sheep, the consignor of the animals (as the case may be)—shall, each according to and in respect of his or their own acts or omissions, be deemed guilty of an offence against the Act of 1894.

PART III. CLEANSING AND DISINFECTION.

22.— (1) Every lair or other place used for animals prior to shipment at any port in Ireland from which animals are exported shall be cleansed and disinfected either on each day on which it is used, and after it has been used, or at some other time not later than twelve o'clock at noon of the next following day and before it is used on such next following day : Provided that, where such user is on a Saturday, the Monday following shall be considered to be the next following day for such purpose.

(2) Such lair or other place shall be cleansed and disinfected as follows :—

(i) All parts of such lair or other place with which animals or their droppings have come in contact shall be scraped and swept, and the scrapings and sweepings and all dung, sawdust, litter, and other matter shall be effectually removed therefrom : then

(ii) The same parts of such lair or other place shall be thoroughly washed, or scrubbed, or scoured with water : and then be disinfected by being thoroughly coated or washed with an approved disinfectant.

(3) The scrapings and sweepings of such lair or other place, and all dung, sawdust, litter, and other matter removed therefrom, shall forthwith be well mixed with quicklime, and be effectually removed from contact with animals or be destroyed by fire.

(4) This Article shall operate subject to any special regulations that are or may be made in regard to lairs at any port in the Irish Free State by any other Order of the Department.

23.— (1) A vessel used for carrying animals by sea, or on a canal, river or inland navigation, shall, after the landing of animals therefrom, and before the taking; on board of any other animal or other cargo, be cleansed and disinfected as follows :—

(i) All parts of the vessel with which any animal or its droppings or other excretions have come in contact shall be scraped and swept so as effectually to remove therefrom all dung, litter and other matter, and then be thoroughly washed or scrubbed or scoured with water; and then disinfected by being thoroughly coated or washed with an approved disinfectant.

(ii) All fittings, pens, hurdles, or utensils used for or about animals shall be scraped and then thoroughly washed or scrubbed or scoured with water; and then disinfected by being thoroughly coated or washed with an approved disinfectant.

(2) The scrapings and sweepings of the vessel shall not be landed unless and until they have been well mixed with quicklime. Such scrapings and sweepings shall if landed be forthwith effectually removed from contact with animals, or be destroyed by fire.

(3) In the case of a ferry-boat or other vessel which makes short passages across a river or an arm of the sea or other water it shall be sufficient if all parts of the ferry-boat or vessel with which any animal or its droppings or other excretions have come in contact be disinfected by being thoroughly coated or washed with an approved disinfectant once in every period of twelve hours within which it is so used.

(4) All head-ropes or halters used for securing animals on a vessel shall as soon as practicable after each occasion on which they are so used and before they are again used for animals, be disinfected by a thorough immersion in an approved disinfectant.

24.—All partly consumed or broken fodder that has been supplied to, and all litter that has been used for or about, animals carried by sea, or on a canal, river, or inland navigation, shall, if and when landed from the vessel, be forthwith well mixed with quicklime and effectually removed from contact with animals, or be effectually destroyed by fire.

25.—(1) A movable gangway, passageway, cage, or other apparatus used for the loading or unloading of animals on or from a vessel, railway truck, or other railway vehicle, or otherwise used in connection with the transit of animals by sea or on a canal, river, or inland navigation or on a railway shall as soon as practicable after being so used, be scraped and swept, so as effectually to remove therefrom all dung, litter, and other matter, and then be thoroughly washed or scrubbed or scoured with water, and then be disinfected by being thoroughly coated or washed with an approved disinfectant.

(2) The scrapings and sweepings of the apparatus, and all dung, litter, and other matter removed therefrom shall forthwith be well mixed with quicklime, and effectually removed from contact with animals, or be effectually destroyed by fire.

26. —(1) A railway truck or other railway vehicle (not being a horse-box or guard's van) used for animals on a railway, shall, on every occasion after an animal is taken out of it, and before any other animal or any fodder or litter, or anything intended to be used for or about animals, is placed in it, be cleansed, and disinfected as follows :—

(i) The floor, roof, and sides, of the inside of the truck, and the sides, ends, and fittings of the outside of the truck, and all other parts thereof with which any animal or its droppings or other excretions, have come in contact shall be scraped and swept, and the scrapings and sweepings, and all dung, sawdust, litter and other matter shall be effectually removed therefrom; then the same parts of the truck shall be thoroughly washed or scrubbed or scoured with water; and then be disinfected by being thoroughly coated or washed with an approved disinfectant.

(ii) A railway truck or other railway vehicle (not being a horse-box or guard's van) intended to be used for animals on a railway, shall, if it has been used for any purpose other than the carriage of animals be cleansed and then disinfected by being thoroughly coated or washed with an approved disinfectant before it is used for animals.

(2) A horse-box used for an animal on a railway shall, on every occasion after an animal is taken out of it, and before any other animal, or any fodder or litter, or anything intended to be used for or about animals, is placed in it, be cleansed, and disinfected by being thoroughly coated or washed with an approved disinfectant, except that such process need not be applied to the sides, ends, and fittings of the outside of the horse-box, unless such parts have been soiled by the droppings or other excretions of the animals.

(3) The scrapings and sweepings of any truck or other vehicle which is required to be cleansed under this Article, and all dung, sawdust, litter, and other matter removed therefrom shall forthwith be well mixed with quicklime, and effectually removed from contact with animals or be destroyed by fire.

27.—(1) Every pen or other place and any hurdles or fittings thereon, being in, about, near, or on a station, building, or land of a railway company, and used or intended to be used by or by permission of a railway company or otherwise for the reception or keeping of animals before, after, or in course of their transit by railway, shall be cleansed and disinfected, either on each day on which it is used and after it has been used, or at some time not later than twelve o'clock at noon of the next following day, and before it is used on such next following day : Provided that, where such user is on a Saturday, the Monday following shall be considered to be the next following day for such purpose.

(2) Every such pen or other place and any hurdles or fittings thereon shall be cleansed and disinfected as follows :—

(i) All parts of the pen or other place and any hurdles or fittings thereon with which any animal or its droppings, or other excretions have come in contact shall be scraped and swept, and the scrapings and sweepings, and all dung, sawdust, litter and other matter shall be effectually removed therefrom; then

(ii) The same parts of the pen or other place and any hurdles or fittings thereon shall be thoroughly washed or scrubbed or scoured with water; and then be disinfected by being thoroughly coated or washed with an approved disinfectant.

(3) The scrapings and sweepings of the pen or other place, and all dung, sawdust, litter, and other matter removed therefrom shall forthwith be well mixed with quicklime, and effectually removed from contact with animals, or be destroyed by fire.

(4) The railway company on whose premises any pen or other place to which this Article applies is situated shall keep the floor of such pen or other place and any hurdles or fittings thereon in such a condition as to enable them to be properly disinfected and cleansed as required by this Article.

(5) The Department may by notice served upon the railway company prohibit the use for animals of any such pen or place in respect of which the Department are not satisfied that the floor, hurdles or fittings thereon are in a condition to enable the same to be properly cleansed and disinfected as required by this Article, and thereupon it shall not be lawful for any person to use any such pen or place for animals until the notice has been withdrawn by a further notice issued by the Department.

28. —Where an Inspector of the Department has reason to believe that a diseased or suspected animal has been in or upon any railway truck or other railway vehicle, or any pen or other place on the premises of a railway company, he may by notice served upon the railway company upon whose premises the truck or vehicle is at the time of the service of such notice or, in the case of a pen or place, upon the company on whose premises the same is situate, require such truck, vehicle, pen, or place to be specially disinfected in such manner as he may prescribe in the notice, in addition to the disinfection required under the preceding Articles of this Order.

29. —(1) Any mechanically propelled road vehicle, including any trailer attached thereto which is used on a highway or thoroughfare by any person:

(a) For hire for the conveyance of animals; or

(b) for the conveyance of animals the property of a dealer; or

(c) for the conveyance of animals the property of two or more owners,

shall, as soon as practicable after each occasion on which it is so used and before any other animal or any fodder or litter, or any other thing intended to be used for or about animals, is placed in it, be cleansed and disinfected by and at the expense of the owner or the person using the same, in the following manner :—

(i) The floor, roof and sides, of the inside of the vehicle, and the sides and ends of the outside of the vehicle and all other parts thereof with which any animal or its droppings or other excretions have come in contact shall be scraped and swept, and the scrapings and sweepings and all dung, saw-dust, litter and other matter shall be effectually removed therefrom : The same parts of the vehicle shall then be thoroughly washed or scrubbed or scoured with water; and then be disinfected by being thoroughly coated or washed with an approved disinfectant.

(ii) The scrapings and sweepings of the vehicle and all dung, sawdust, litter, and other matter removed therefrom shall forthwith be well mixed with quicklime and effectually removed from contact with animals, or be destroyed by fire.

(2) Every crate, box, hamper, loading board, rope, net or other apparatus used in connection with such conveyance of animals, as aforesaid shall be thoroughly cleansed and then be disinfected by being thoroughly coated, washed or saturated with an approved disinfectant.

(3) Any vehicle or thing to which this Article applies shall forthwith be cleansed and disinfected in the aforesaid manner, by and at the expense of the owner or the person using the same, at any time upon the receipt by him of a notice in writing signed by an inspector of the Department or of the Local Authority requiring such cleansing and disinfection.

(4) If the owner or person using the said vehicle or thing for or in connection with the conveyance of an animal as aforesaid fails to cleanse and disinfect the vehicle or thing in the manner required by this Article or by any notice served thereunder, he shall be deemed guilty of an offence against the Act of 1894, and it shall be lawful for the Local Authority, without prejudice to the recovery of any penalty for the offence, to cause such vehicle or thing to be cleansed and disinfected and to recover from such owner or person summarily as a civil debt the expense of such cleansing and disinfection. Where the power of causing any vehicle or thing to be cleansed and disinfected under this Article is exercised by a Local Authority, the owner of the vehicle or thing and the person using the same shall give all reasonable facilities for that purpose, and any person failing to give such facilities shall be deemed guilty of an offence against the Act of 1894.

30. A van, float, or other vehicle used for removing animals by road shall, on every occasion after a diseased or suspected animal is taken out of it, and as soon as practicable, and before any other animal or any fodder or litter, or any other thing intended to be used for or about animals, is placed in it, be cleansed and disinfected, by and at the expense of the owner or person using the same, in the manner described in paragraph (1) of Article 29 of this Order, and the provisions of paragraphs (2), (3) and (4) of Article 29 of this Order shall apply in relation to any vehicle or thing to which this Article applies.

31. —If anything is done or omitted to be done in contravention of any of the provisions of Part III. of this Order, the owner and the charterer and the master of the vessel—and the owner of the gangway or passageway, cage, or other apparatus—and the railway company carrying the animals on or owning or working the railway on which they are carried—and the owner and the lessee and the occupier of the pen or other place, and the person using the van or float in which, and the owner and the lessee and the occupier of the place of landing or place adjacent thereto or other place—and the owner and the lessee and the occupier of any other place or thing in respect of which—anything is so done or omitted (as the case may be) shall, each according to and in respect of his or their own acts or omissions, be deemed guilty of an offence against the Act of 1894.

PART IV. MISCELLANEOUS.

32.—Where an Inspector of the Department is of opinion that an animal intended to be carried by railway or conveyed on a vessel from any port in the Irish Free State cannot, owing to infirmity, illness, injury, fatigue, or any other cause, be so carried or conveyed without unnecessary suffering, or that the calving of the animal during the transit is reasonably probable, he may serve a Notice to that effect on the person in charge of the animal and also, when practicable, on an officer of the railway company or the master of the vessel, and until such Notice is withdrawn by an Inspector of the Department it shall be unlawful to carry the animal by railway or convey it on a vessel, and if the animal is carried or conveyed in contravention of this Article, the person in charge thereof, and the railway company or the master of the vessel, where the Notice has been served on an officer of the company or master, shall be deemed guilty of an offence against the Act of 1894.

33. —Where an Inspector of the Department is of opinion that an animal intended to be moved by road cannot, owing to old age, infirmity, illness, injury, fatigue, or any other cause, be so moved without unnecessary suffering, or that the calving of the animal during movement is reasonably probable, he may serve a Notice to that effect on the person in charge of the animal and thereupon until such Notice is withdrawn by an Inspector of the Department it shall be unlawful to move the animal by road, and if the animal is moved in contravention of this Article the person in charge thereof shall be deemed guilty of an offence against the Act of 1894.

34. —An Inspector of the Department, officer, or constable detaining an animal under the Act of 1894 or any Order of the Department shall cause it to be supplied with requisite food and water during its detention; and the expenses incurred by him in respect thereof may be recovered summarily from the person having charge of the animal, or from its owner.

35. —From the commencement of this Order the Orders described in the Second Schedule to this Order are hereby revoked to the extent therein specified: Provided that the revocation of the Animals (Transit and General) (Ireland) Order of 1913 shall affect the application of the Animals (Transit and General) (Ireland) Order of 1913 Amendment (Irish Free State) Order of 1923, only to the extent that references in the latter Order to the "Principal Order" or to particular provisions of the "Principal Order" shall be construed as references to this Order or to the like or corresponding provisions of this Order.

36.—This Order shall come into operation on the first day of June, nineteen hundred and twenty-seven.

37.—This Order may be cited as the TRANSIT OF ANIMALS ORDER OF 1927.

In witness whereof the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction have hereunto set their official seal this fourth day of April, nineteen hundred and twenty-seven.

F. J. MEYRICK,

Secretary.

I concur in the foregoing Order.

P. HOGAN,

Minister for Lands and Agriculture.

FIRST SCHEDULE.

(ARTICLE 3).

SPECIFICATION FOR GUIDANCE IN FITTING UP VESSELS FOR THE CARRIAGE OF ANIMALS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THIS ORDER.

Cattle Pens on Main Decks and below.

1. Dimensions of Pens erected on Main Decks and below.

The maximum length in the clear between division boards in a fore and aft direction to be 10 feet; minimum 6 feet 6 inches.

The maximum breadth in the clear to be 7 feet 6 inches; minimum 6 feet 6 inches.

The minimum height from deck to deck shall be 7 feet.

2. Construction of Pens on Main Deck and below.

Pens are to be four-sided enclosures composed of stanchions and division boards.

The stanchions are to be fitted at each corner, except that where the ship's side is vertical, rear stanchions will not be necessary, as the side of the vessel will form the rear of the pen, the framing or sparring being utilised to carry the channels or receivers to take the athwartship division boards.

All athwartship division boards shall, as far as possible, be placed at right angles to the fore-and-aft line of the vessel.

3. Stanchions in covered spaces.

(a) Wherever possible, the permanent stanchions of the vessel are to be utilised by fitting channels or receivers in the most convenient way to carry the division boards.

Where stanchions have to be fitted, they shall not be less than 2 inches in diameter, squared over a length of 3 feet 10 inches from the base to take channel receivers, or plates to form same, for the division boards. The stanchions are to be continuous from deck to deck, or from deck to beam, the heels to fit in sockets secured to the deck, the heads to be bolted to the beams, or where such are not in position, to brackets secured to the deck over ; or stanchions and fittings as may be approved.

(b) Stanchions on open decks.

Where a fore and aft gangway is carried overhead, the stanchions supporting this gangway are to be utilised wherever possible.

When these are not in suitable positions, dwarf stanchions of not less than 2 inch square iron, of a height of not less than 4 feet, are to be fitted. Each heel to have a toe-piece worked on to fit into a socket which is to be bolted or riveted to the deck. The stanchion to be secured into the socket by a steel wedge or fittings as may be approved.

The heads are to be secured to each other and to the ship's side by portable stays of round bar 1¼ inches in diameter, or by other suitable means to be approved by the Department.

(c) Wood stanchions shall not be used except with the special permission in writing of the Department, and then only in a case where the vessel is fitted out temporarily or in other exceptional circumstances.

4. Channels or Receivers to take Division Boards.

The channels or receivers to be preferably of steel plates, channel bars or angles, of a minimum thickness of ¼ inch, riveted to the stanchions : alternatively they may be of malleable cast iron, not less than ³/₈ inch in thickness. The cleats are to be 3 feet 6 inches in length, 2½ inches in depth internally, and 2¼ inches in width in the clear. They are to be half rounded at the top and closed at the bottom and fitted so as to end 4 inches above the deck. Those fitted to the ship's side shall be riveted, bolted, or properly screwed to the frames or spar ceiling at the top, and to the 18 inch curtain plate at the base with the necessary filling piece to make the cleat vertical.

Where two or more channels or receivers are fitted at right angles on any stanchion the space between them shall be filled with wood the whole length of the channel or receiver, well rounded and secured, or in any other approved manner.

5. Division Boards.

These are to be planed white pine 2½ inches thick, the ends to be tapered to fit into the channels or receivers on the stanchions. Boards are to be made up into sets, each set to consist of two 9-inch boards, separated by three 3-inch distance pieces, 9 inches long, one at each end, and one in the middle, the whole to be tied by three ½-inch tiebolts, clenched each end on washers.

Two of these sets are required for each division, making a height of 3 feet 10 inches above the deck. The top set of the fore and aft boards to have holes, 1½ inches diameter, bored along the centre of the top board, holes to be 2 feet apart, the first hole being 1 foot from the end.

6. Protection at Rear of Pens at Ship's side.

Animals shall be protected from frames and projections on the ship's side by :—

(a) A vertical protection, of wood, iron or steel, for a height of 18 inches from the deck, being fastened against the frames the whole length of the pens. The lower edge shall be set in the cement at the edge of the water-ways, and the gap at the top shall be closed with cement, faced off to drain inboard. Sparred ceiling, 9 inches by 1½ inches, shall be fitted with 9-inch clearance between each board, commencing 9 inches above the cement, closing the vertical protection, two such boards being sufficient; or

(b) by sparred ceiling to a height of 4 feet 6 inches from the deck, constructed of boards 9 inches by 1½ inches, the lower edge of the bottom board to be spaced 6 inches from the deck, the intervals between the two next succeeding boards being 3 inches, and the interval between the two uppermost boards being 6 inches; or

(c) by some other method approved by the Department.

7. Battens or Foot-locks.

The floor of each pen shall be fitted with foot locks placed in a fore and aft direction, to run the whole length of the pen, each pen having its own foot locks. There shall be 4 foot locks in each pen, made of elm or other suitable wood not less than 2½ inches wide and sufficiently deep to project 2½ inches above the floor of pen when finished, whether of wood or cement.

The foot-locks are to be spaced as follows—the first one under the front fore and aft division board—the second one 2 feet from this—the fourth, 9 inches to 1 foot from ship's side or rear of the pen—and the third, half-way between the second and fourth.

In vessels with wood decks the battens to be fastened to the decks by screws, or spiked, and well recessed. In vessels with steel decks which will be covered with cement, the foot locks shall be secured by angle lugs and bolts, or as may be approved.

8. Decks.

Decks on which pens may be erected shall be (a) wood, or (b) iron covered with cement of not less than 1½ inch in thickness, or with an approved composite material of suitable thickness, the surface of the cement or composite material being scored or otherwise roughened to prevent the animals slipping, or (c) iron with wood sheathing, not less than 1½ inch in thickness.

9. Gangway Doors.

Gangway doors shall be provided on the Main Decks of all vessels, and where sheep or pigs are carried on the Bridge or Shelter Deck, gangway openings shall be provided in the ship's rails. The gangway door openings shall not be less than 6 ft. in height. They are to be secured in such a manner that no stay or other obstruction protrudes into the gangway pens. Wherever practicable, gangway doors should be made to slide along the side of the ship on the outside.

10. Approaches, Gangways, etc.

Wherever practicable, cattle walks leading from the Main Deck to compartments below that deck shall not be fitted in the Hatchways. They shall, if fitted in an athwartship direction, be so arranged as to allow of the foot of the cattle walk ending in front of the pens.

The cattle walks shall have a minimum width of 3 feet in the clear, and the gradient shall not be more than 1 in 2. They shall be fitted with battens of elm or other suitable wood, not less than 2½ inches by 2½ inches above the flooring, spaced not more than 12 inches apart, a batten being not more than 9 inches from each end, and they shall also be fitted with suitable sides, which may be portable.

The cattle walks may be so fitted that they can be slung from either end and triced up at both ends, when not in use.

When, however, cattle walks are fitted in the hatchways provision shall be made to the satisfaction of the Department for the access of attendants at all times to any compartment in which animals are carried.

SHEEP OR PIG PENS ON BRIDGE OR SHELTER DECKS.

11. Dimensions of Pens.

These shall not exceed 10 feet between division boards in fore and aft direction, and 9 feet in the clear, measured at the deck level in athwartship direction.

12. (a) Stanchions under covered spaces.

If the Bridge or Shelter Deck is covered by a deck-over, the permanent stanchions if not less than 1½ inches diameter, and conveniently situated, may be utilised to take division boards for the construction of pens.

Where stanchions have to be fitted, they are to be of round iron, not less than 1½ inches diameter, but constructed and fitted similarly to those specified for covered spaces on Main Deck, and below, except that the dimensions of the channels or receivers shall be length 28 inches, width internally 1½ inches, depth externally 2 inches.

(b) Stanchions on Open Deck.

Dwarf stanchions of 1½ inch square wrought iron of a height of not less than 2 feet 6 inches are to be fitted. Each stanchion to have a toe-piece worked on to fit into a socket, which is to be let into, or secured to the deck, and each stanchion shall be provided with a steel wedge to fit into the socket and keep the stanchion in place. There shall be two eyes on each side of the stanchion taking division boards; the eyes to be of ½ inch steel or iron.

13. Division Boards.

Division boards of planed white pine, 8 inches wide by 1½ inches thick are to be made into sets of three, with three 2-inch distance pieces, 12 inches long between each board (one at each end and one in the middle), the whole tied by three tiebolts clenched each end on washers.

The boards for use with the deck to deck stanchions to be tapered at ends to fit into the channels or receivers.

Those for use with the dwarf stanchions to be fitted with hooks in centre of top and bottom boards at each end. The hooks shall be forked on and bolted through the division boards, the length of fork to be not less than 6 inches; the hooks to engage in the eye-bolts fitted to the stanchions or rails or ship's side.

The bottom division board to be 2 inches clear of deck.

Alternatively, stanchions and pens may be constructed of iron or steel fencing, as may be approved.

14. Battens or Foot-locks.

Foot-locks should be of elm, not less than 1½ inches wide and 1½ inches above the flooring of the pen, fixed to the deck in an approved manner. Foot-locks shall be laid fore and aft, not more than 15 inches apart, there being separate sets of battens for each pen.

It is essential in the construction of all pens that no sharp edges are allowed to project unprotected. Bolts should be snap-headed wherever possible, and all nuts, etc., should be housed.

SECOND SCHEDULE.

ORDERS REVOKED (ARTICLE 35).