Farmed Animals

Welfare During Livestock Transport — Key Issues

Transport is one of the most significant and widespread welfare challenges in the farm animal production system.

Key Facts

Around 3.7 billion live animals are transported within the EU annually
Transport causes stress, injury, exhaustion, and death across all farmed species
Space allowances during transport are a critical welfare variable; minimum standards are frequently inadequate
Water and food access during long journeys is often insufficient
Slaughter near the point of production rather than live export is the most welfare-positive alternative

Welfare Considerations

Livestock transport is a major source of preventable welfare harm. The welfare impacts of crowding, unfamiliar social groupings, temperature extremes, and movement stress are well-documented. While some transport is unavoidable, reducing journey times, improving space allowances, and substituting carcass trade for live export represent the most impactful welfare improvements.

What You Can Do

Support campaigns to reduce maximum transport journey times
Advocate for replacement of live export with chilled carcass trade
Choose products from supply chains with short transport distances
Support inspection and enforcement of existing transport welfare regulations
Advocate for transport welfare requirements to be included in trade agreements