Live sheep export is one of the most controversial welfare issues in animal agriculture. Understanding the evidence helps evaluate arguments for and against the trade.
Long-distance live sheep export raises fundamental welfare questions about whether commercial interests can justify the welfare costs of extended maritime transport. The combination of stressors — crowding, heat, unfamiliar environment, dietary change, seasickness, and social disruption — over multi-week voyages causes demonstrable welfare harm and significant mortality. Investigations by activists and veterinarians have revealed systematic welfare failures on some vessels. The destination slaughter welfare problem compounds the transport concern — animals that have survived a welfare-compromising voyage may face slaughter without stunning. The economic argument that live export provides income to farmers and access to fresh meat for importing countries must be honestly weighed against the welfare evidence. The emerging consensus among welfare scientists is that chilled and frozen meat trade provides equivalent economic benefit without comparable welfare costs.