Transport is one of the most stressful experiences in a farmed pig's life. Understanding the welfare problems of pig transportation supports better regulations and practices.
Pig transportation causes acute welfare harms across its entire duration: loading involves chasing, electric prod use, and falls; transport exposes animals to temperature extremes, motion sickness, and social aggression from unfamiliar pen-mates; unloading involves further handling stress and injury risk. Pigs that arrive at slaughter plants highly stressed show elevated stress hormones that persist through stunning if slaughter is not prompt. Longer transport journeys compound these harms. Journey time limits, mandatory rest periods, temperature monitoring, and prohibition of electric prods except as a last resort are welfare improvements with strong scientific backing. Slaughter at or near the farm of origin — while logistically challenging — dramatically reduces transportation welfare harms.