Transport duration is one of the most significant welfare determinants for farm animals; maximum journey times protect animals from cumulative stress harm.
Transport duration is a key welfare determinant because stress and physical exhaustion accumulate throughout journeys. Feed and water withdrawal before transport adds to physiological burden. Long sea voyages for live export expose animals to severe welfare compromise including heat stress, disease, and injuries from ship movement. Developing local slaughter infrastructure is the most effective long-term welfare solution for reducing transport duration.