Transport to slaughter is one of the most acutely stressful experiences in a pig's life. Pigs are moved from familiar environments and social groups, loaded onto unfamiliar vehicles, and subjected to motion, noise, temperature extremes, and mixing with unfamiliar animals. The welfare consequences are significant — and transport-related deaths, injuries, and stress affect millions of pigs annually.
Transport creates a cascade of welfare challenges that compound on each other:
Transport causes measurable physiological changes in pigs:
Transport mortality varies by season, distance, and management but represents a real and large-scale welfare problem. In the US, approximately 1 million pigs die during transport annually. The European industry reports lower proportional mortality but still significant absolute numbers given the scale of pig transport. Non-ambulatory pigs — too weak or injured to walk off the truck — represent another major concern, often requiring emergency slaughter or euthanasia at the lairage (holding area).
Welfare degrades with journey length. EU regulations limit pig transport to 24 hours (with provisions for water and rest) or 8 hours for unweaned piglets. Research consistently shows welfare is best preserved with shorter journeys. Abattoir consolidation — the trend toward fewer, larger slaughter facilities — has increased average journey distances, creating systematic welfare pressure.
EU regulations specify minimum space allowances per pig based on weight, but research suggests even legal minimums may be above welfare-optimal levels during warm weather. Lower densities improve temperature regulation, reduce fighting, and allow more animals to rest.
Driver skill and attitude significantly affect welfare during loading and transport. Research shows that calm, experienced drivers using low-stress handling techniques achieve lower injury and mortality rates. Certificate of competency requirements for pig transport drivers exist in the EU but quality of training varies.
Heat stress during transport is the single largest cause of transport mortality in pigs. Solutions include: sprinkling systems, shade, restricted loading during peak heat hours, improved vehicle ventilation, and weather monitoring systems that delay transport under extreme conditions.