EU and UK transport regulations set minimum standards for journey times, space allowances and vehicle conditions, but enforcement gaps and long-distance trade remain significant welfare concerns.
Animals during transport experience fear, thermal stress, thirst and exhaustion. Motion of vehicles causes repeated loss of balance in prey species already stressed by novel environments. Lambs transported long distances show elevated cortisol, weight loss and immune suppression lasting days after arrival. The welfare case for reducing live animal transport distance in favour of carcass and genetic material trade is strong.