Millions of sheep are transported long distances annually — including live export voyages of days or weeks. The welfare consequences of extended journey times are well-documented and have driven bans in several countries.
Long-distance live sheep transport causes documented, severe welfare harm. The conditions of sea transport are stressful for sheep: unfamiliar ship environments, constant vessel movement, heat accumulation below decks, social disruption from mixing unfamiliar animals, and restricted access to food and water during adaptation. Mortality events during hot-weather voyages have occurred multiple times at scale — each one representing thousands of animals experiencing heat stroke and death. The welfare case for ending live export in favour of chilled carcass trade is compelling: welfare outcomes for slaughtered animals traded as meat are categorically better than for live animals subjected to multi-week voyages. The economic argument that live export supports producer incomes must be weighed against the welfare harm caused to millions of animals annually. The bans implemented by New Zealand and Australia represent significant welfare policy advances that other major live export nations should follow.