Livestock

Pig Transport Welfare from Farm to Slaughter

Transport to slaughter is one of the highest-risk welfare events in a pig's life, involving loading, motion, mixing, and environmental extremes that cause significant stress.

Key Facts

Pigs are particularly susceptible to transport stress due to their social sensitivity
Mixing unfamiliar pigs during transport causes fighting and injury
Temperature control is critical as pigs cannot sweat and are vulnerable to heat stroke
Loading facilities including ramps, lighting, and flooring significantly affect stress and injury rates
Porcine stress syndrome (PSS) is a genetic condition causing fatal stress responses in some breeds

Welfare Considerations

Pigs loaded in unfamiliar groups onto transport vehicles experience fear, aggression from mixing, and motion sickness. Long journeys compound these impacts. The highest-risk phase is loading when falls, injuries, and stress peaks are greatest. Investing in good loading facilities, trained drivers, and temperature-controlled vehicles significantly reduces transport welfare incidents.

What You Can Do

Support legislation limiting pig transport journey times
Choose pork from locally slaughtered pigs where possible
Advocate for loading facility standards in pig transport welfare regulation
Support investment in abattoir infrastructure to reduce long-distance pig transport
Encourage producers to implement pre-transport training and handling protocols