Welfare of Sheep in Long-Distance Land Transport

Sheep transported long distances by road within Europe and internationally face welfare challenges from journey duration, crowding, and temperature stress.

Key Facts

The EU allows sheep to be transported for up to 29 hours without a rest stop
Millions of sheep are transported across European borders annually
Temperature regulation in livestock trucks is often inadequate
Sheep at the bottom of multi-deck trucks face pressure injuries
Water provision during transport is legally required but compliance varies

Welfare Considerations

Sheep in long-distance transport suffer from multiple compounding welfare insults. Journey fatigue causes progressive deterioration after 8 hours. Overcrowding prevents all animals from lying down. Temperature extremes cause hyperthermia in summer and hypothermia in winter. Unfamiliar sheep mixed together increase fighting stress. Falls during loading cause injury. The regulatory 29-hour limit is far longer than welfare science recommends. Slaughter closer to the farm of origin would eliminate most transport welfare suffering.

What You Can Do

Support efforts to limit livestock transport to 8 hours or less
Advocate for slaughter close to place of production rather than live export
Choose meat from local farms with short transport journeys
Support EU welfare transport enforcement and inspection programs