Poland | Skaryszew | Horse market and inspections of vehicles with ITD

Third time in a row, the TSB|AWF team visit the annual horse market in Skaryszew, central Poland. Most of the team spend long cold hours (real feel temperature between -2˚C and -9˚C)  observing the market and its surroundings, while one team member joins the ITD (Road Transport Inspection) officers to inspect trucks bringing the animals to and from the market.

During two days, we note some improvements in respect to last year, but still several things need to be changed. For example, the number of horses is lower (we counted about 280 horses), but still there are no dividers between animals, and some of the horses try to bite and kick others standing close. Another example are the stationary ramps: the ones used last year were very dangerous, this year their construction is somewhat improved, but still posing some risk. By the end of the first day one horse manages to destroy the side rail of the ramp.

Enforcement of law remains insufficient at the market, we still see cases of violation of Council Regulation No. 1/2005. We notice the same lorries as in 2017, with steep and slippery ramps, inappropriate ventilation and unsuitable or lack of partitions. The entry check points are organised in a better way than last year, but unfortunately there is no exit check point. What is even more important, there is no solution for vehicles that are not approved to enter the market, no facilities to unload and rest the horses. In one case ITD Inspectors manage to find an unloading place for horses who have been loaded the day before and spent the whole night in the truck, but this is not enough. Some of transporters not allowed in the market are noticed by our team in a field at the end of village, where illegal trade is taking place. We notifie the competent authorities about this situation, but actions taken are not very efficient.

Like previously, also this time we will prepare a detailed report for the organisers showing the shortcomings and potential solutions. We will return next year to verify what changes were introduced.