European Union livestock transport regulations are under review, with animal welfare organisations pushing for shorter journey time limits and improved conditions for live export.
EU livestock transport welfare reform is one of the most significant pending animal welfare policy decisions in Europe. Current regulations allow journey durations that cause progressive dehydration, exhaustion, injury and thermal stress in transported animals. Third-country journeys to non-EU destinations are particularly poorly monitored, with animals entering regulatory vacuums where EU standards no longer apply. The one million signature European Citizens Initiative demonstrates substantial public support for stronger protections. The welfare case for an 8-hour maximum journey time is well-evidenced: most welfare deterioration occurs in the final hours of longer journeys. Economic interests oppose reform but the welfare costs of long transport are not adequately reflected in current market prices.