Wool Board Offers Reduced Cost on Animal Transport Competence Assessments‏

Registered wool producers can benefit from a reduction in the cost of obtaining the new animal transport assessment certificate which will be introduced next year for stock that is transported on journeys lasting up to eight hours and covering over 40 miles (65km).

Using the GOLA system (Global On-Line Assessment) livestock farmers can gain their transport certification – being organised by the National Proficient Tests Council – at several British Wool Marketing Board offices throughout the UK.

The BWMB – through British Wool Training – is offering the certification to registered wool producers at a reduced cost of £47 compared with £67 for other livestock farmers.

Next year all livestock producers who transport stock on journeys taking up to eight hours or covering distances of up to 40 miles (65km) must have a certificate of competence.

The first step is to obtain a registration form – which can be obtained from any of the BWMB's offices. Once completed and returned with the appropriate fee, the applicant will be notified of the date set to undertake the GOLA assessment.

This will involve visiting one of the BWMB's test centres and completing the 27 questions "on line". Each question has four choice options. The on-line test will be overseen by invigilator with agricultural knowledge to ensure applicants fully understand what is involved.

One hour is allocated for each assessment but in practice most will find it can be completed in less than 30 minutes.

Once all the questions are completed the applicant can submit the assessment on-line and will receive an immediate answer. Actual certificates will be issued within four weeks.

Said the BWMB's Colin McGregor who has been setting up the assessments for British Wool Training: "This is a very straightforward assessment which farmers should not find difficult. Those who know that their stock movements after April1st 2008 will fall within the designated time and distances should ensure they have their assessments completed in good time."

Test centres are now underway at the BWMB's Exeter office in the south west, Callander in Scotland and Newtown in mid-Wales. Other centres will soon be operational at various locations in England.