Transporting pigs causes significant welfare harm through mixing stress, climate extremes, and unfamiliarity, with journey time a key determinant of welfare outcomes.
Pig transport welfare is determined by journey duration, loading density, temperature management, and social mixing. Longer journeys compound all these welfare costs. Evidence consistently supports 8-hour maximum journey times as the welfare-optimal policy for most pig types. Pre-transport fasting, appropriate density, climate control, and skilled driving all reduce but cannot eliminate welfare harm during transport.