Considering the weather conditions that predict very high temperatures in the upcoming period, the National Sanitary Veterinary and Food Safety Authority (ANSVSA) reminds animal owners and keepers of their obligation to comply with specific measures to ensure the protection and well-being of animals and to prevent heat stress.

Provisions applicable to farmers:

Farmers and other animal owners must consider the following aspects:

• Ensuring appropriate shelter for animals that can provide protection against direct sunlight.
• Providing sufficient quantities of water and feed (both quantitatively and qualitatively appropriate).
• Checking the proper functioning of watering and feeding equipment, as well as ventilation systems.
• Verifying the availability of backup equipment, especially ventilation systems and power generators.
• During heatwaves, animals used for traction or other labor activities should not be exploited between 12:00 and 18:00 if the shade temperature exceeds 25ºC.
• In case of any suspicious changes in the animals' health status or behavioral changes, the owner has the obligation to promptly notify the veterinarian responsible for overseeing the health status of animals in the respective locality.
• If animals are kept outdoors, shading and troughs with drinking water must be provided.
• If water sources are difficult to access or blocked, water must be administered manually regularly to reduce the risk of dehydration.

Provisions applicable to animal transporters:

• They are legally obliged not to transport animals in a way that could cause them unnecessary injuries or suffering.
• Transport should be conducted during the night or in the early morning hours to avoid high temperatures during the day.
• In high temperatures, the loading density of animals in the transport vehicle should be reduced by 10-20% of the authorized maximum loading capacity, depending on species, size, age, and physiological condition.
• For journeys over 8 hours, the ventilation systems in the vehicle must be capable of maintaining the thermal comfort temperature in the animal compartments throughout the transport so that the temperature remains between 5°C and 30°C at any time during the journey. Additionally, water must be provided continuously.

Source of drinking water:

If there is only a limited source of drinking water, the daily water requirement of an animal should be taken into account, depending on species, size, breed, and physiological condition:

SPECIES / Recommended water quantity

• Cows - milk / 38-52 liters
• Bovines / 38 liters
• Horses / 20-45 liters
• Pigs / 4-11.5 liters
• Sheep / 6 liters
• Poultry - yard / 0.5 liters

These figures may vary depending on the animal's age, physiological condition, ambient temperature, and humidity. Communication and Documentary Logistics Service.