Analysis of control activities during animal transport in 2006-2008 period in Sicily: Legal dimension

This paper analyses the control system adopted in Sicily during the animal transport in the 2006-2008 period. The parameter to which the data have been related is the one that refers to the whole country. The survey shows that the surveillance system adopted by the Local Health Authorities in Sicily is certainly more efficient than those adopted in the whole peninsula. In fact, in our analysis there is evidence that in Italy only the 16% of transported animals have been checked but this percentage rises to 42,50% in Sicily. However, considering that generally the checks were carried out only at the place of arrival, in particular for the 74,46% in Italy and 51,37% in Sicily, these findings (both in Sicily and in all national area) can not be considered satisfactory especially from the Community legislature point of view, which has to prevent and/or correct any irregularities and abnormal behaviour of personnel involved in transport procedures. Finally, our results highlight that it is very important to invest more in training as well as educating of involved staff (from veterinarians to carriers).