Heat stress during livestock transport is a leading cause of transport mortality, with millions of pigs, poultry, and cattle dying annually in transit under summer conditions.
Animals transported in summer heat face progressive physiological collapse: panting, elevated heart rate, heat exhaustion, and death. Pigs are especially vulnerable as they cannot sweat effectively. Crowded conditions prevent animals from lying down and dissipating heat. Many transport-related deaths involve extreme suffering during the final hours. Enforcement of welfare regulations during transport remains inconsistent across the EU and other jurisdictions, and gaps between regulation and practice are documented.