Farm Animals

Livestock Transport Endurance and Rest

Long-distance livestock transport causes significant welfare harm, with the EU and UK debating reforms to maximum journey times and rest requirements.

Key Facts

EU regulations permit cattle journeys of up to 29 hours before mandatory rest
Post-Brexit UK rules were initially aligned with EU but reform proposals are ongoing
Calves under 14 days cannot be transported under EU law
Rest periods during long journeys must include water and feed access
Mortality rates increase significantly on journeys exceeding 8 hours

Welfare Considerations

Long transport causes exhaustion, dehydration, temperature stress, and injury from movement and social mixing. The evidence supports 8-hour maximum journey times for most livestock as the welfare-optimal policy. Live export for fattening or slaughter subjects animals to the longest and most welfare-compromising journeys, and has been banned for slaughter animals in the UK.

What You Can Do

Support 8-hour maximum journey time legislation
Oppose any weakening of post-Brexit livestock transport protections
Choose UK-reared and UK-slaughtered meat to avoid long-distance transport
Support campaigns for live export reform globally
Advocate for enforcement of existing transport welfare regulations