Livestock

Animal Transport Welfare: EU Regulation and Reform

EU Regulation 1/2005 governs the welfare of animals during transport, but animal welfare organisations have long called for stronger limits on journey times and conditions.

Key Facts

Current EU law permits journey times of up to 29 hours for most species with rest periods
Long-distance live export of livestock from EU to non-EU countries causes significant welfare harm
The EU proposed major transport reform in 2023 to reduce journey times and temperatures
Enforcement of existing transport welfare regulations varies considerably between member states
The UK banned live exports for slaughter and fattening in 2023 following Brexit

Welfare Considerations

Animals transported for very long periods experience cumulative stress, dehydration, and injury that goes beyond what shorter journeys cause. The most welfare-harmful transports are those to non-EU countries where import welfare standards may be substantially lower. Reducing maximum journey times and ending live export outside EU welfare jurisdiction are the most impactful reforms for transport welfare.

What You Can Do

Support campaigns by Compassion in World Farming to strengthen EU transport welfare law
Advocate for maximum journey time limits aligned with welfare science evidence
Choose locally reared and slaughtered products to reduce transport welfare risks
Engage with your MEP or MP about support for stronger transport welfare regulation
Boycott products from companies known to use very long distance live animal transport