1. The competent authority shall carry out at any stage of the long journey appropriate checks on a random or targeted basis to verify that declared journey times are realistic and that the journey complies with this Regulation and in particular that travel times and rest periods have complied with the limits set out in Chapter V of Annex I.
2. In the case of long journeys between Member States and with third countries, the checks at the place of departure for fitness for transport, as referred to in Chapter I of Annex I, shall be performed before the loading as part of the animal health checks as set out in the corresponding veterinary Community legislation, within the time limits provided by such legislation.
3. When the place of destination is a slaughterhouse, the checks provided for in paragraph 1 may be performed as part of the animal welfare inspection as set out in Regulation (EC) No 854/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 laying down specific rules for the organisation of official controls on products of animal origin intended for human consumption (19).
4. The records of the movements of the means of transport by road obtained from navigation system may be used for carrying out these checks where appropriate.