Long-distance cattle transport causes significant welfare harm from exhaustion, dehydration, and injury. EU and international regulations set maximum journey times but enforcement and compliance remain inconsistent.
Long-distance cattle transport causes cumulative welfare harm that is difficult to mitigate beyond certain journey durations. Extended sea voyages for live export expose cattle to heat stress, rough weather, and disease in conditions that cannot be adequately regulated over weeks of transport. The alternative — slaughtering animals close to origin and trading chilled or frozen meat — eliminates most transport welfare problems while maintaining economic access to export markets. Consumer and regulatory pressure for live export phase-outs is growing in exporting countries including Australia.