Main principles of the Convention
Article 4
1. Animals shall be transported in a way which safeguards their welfare, including health. 2. As far as possible, animals shall be transported without delay to their place of destination. 3. At control points, priority shall be given to consignments of animals. 4. Animals shall only be detained where this is strictly necessary for their welfare or for disease control purposes. If animals are detained, appropriate arrangements shall be made for their care and, where necessary, their unloading and accommodation. 5. Each Party shall take the necessary measures to avoid or reduce to a minimum the suffering of animals in cases where strikes or other unforeseeable circumstances impede the strict application of the provisions of this Convention in its territory. It will be guided for this purpose by the principles set out in this Convention. 6. Nothing in this Convention shall affect the implementation of other instruments concerning sanitary and veterinary control. 7. Nothing in this Convention shall affect the liberty of the Parties to adopt stricter measures for the protection of animals during international transport.