Summer transport of livestock causes significant preventable suffering and death, with straightforward interventions that are inconsistently implemented.
The suffering of livestock transported in hot weather is largely preventable through scheduling, vehicle design, and loading density management. Animals experiencing heat exhaustion die slowly over hours, sometimes within view of other animals. The economic pressure to transport continuously through summer months creates conflicts between welfare and productivity that regulations can resolve. Countries with mandatory rest and shade requirements for summer transport show significantly lower heat-related mortality.