Analysis of Non-conformities in Road Transport of Animals in Poland

The paper presents the results of analysis of inspections of animal transport vehicles in Poland in 2007-2016. Due to animal welfare and the increased epidemiological risk the animal control system included the points of carriage provided for in the animal carriage law, i.e., during transport, at the sites of shipment, sites of rest, at destination points as well as at fairs and purchase points. The largest number of non-conformities were revealed at destination points (slaughterhouses), where the highest number of inspections were carried out. Inspections were conducted by veterinary inspectors and non-conformities were mainly related to animal health, documentation, transport practices and vehicles. The calculation of non-conformity rates enabled the evaluation of the condition of the inspected means of transport in the aspect of animal welfare. In addition, number of inspections, number of detected non-conformities and the non-conformity rates calculated for Poland were compared with the values for selected countries neighboring Poland (the Czech Republic, Lithuania and Germany).