Live cattle transport is a major source of welfare harm, with long journeys causing exhaustion, dehydration, injury, and stress. Understanding transport welfare helps drive better standards.
Cattle transport is a concentrated welfare risk that receives less attention than production conditions despite the acute suffering involved. Long journeys without feed, water, or rest cause dehydration, exhaustion, and increased susceptibility to respiratory disease. Overcrowded vehicles and ships cause trampling and injury. The combination of novelty stress, physical discomfort, and social disruption creates significant suffering during transit. Long-distance live export by ship is particularly problematic — journeys can last weeks under conditions that make individual welfare monitoring impossible.