Slaughter Distance and Livestock Welfare

The distance animals must travel to slaughter is a major determinant of transport welfare, with local slaughter infrastructure enabling significant welfare improvements across species.

Key Facts

Average livestock transport distances to slaughter have increased as abattoir numbers have declined
The UK lost approximately 80% of its abattoirs between 1970 and 2010
Mobile slaughter units that come to farms can eliminate transport welfare entirely for some species
Small abattoir support schemes have been implemented in several countries to maintain local infrastructure

Welfare Considerations

Slaughter distance welfare reflects the structural economics of the meat industry: abattoir consolidation for efficiency has lengthened transport distances, increasing welfare exposure. Each additional hour of transport represents additional stress, dehydration risk, injury risk, and fear for transported animals. Supporting local slaughter infrastructure through policy — small abattoir grants, mobile unit licensing, planning guidance — directly reduces transport welfare burden. The welfare dividend of slaughter on or near the farm, where animals are in familiar environments, is very large compared to the experience of long-distance transport to large facilities.

What You Can Do

Support small and local abattoir infrastructure through policy advocacy
Choose meat from local producers who slaughter at nearby facilities
Advocate for mobile slaughter unit licensing and infrastructure support
Support farm-kill licensing for specific species where welfare benefits are highest