Livestock transport is a major source of welfare compromise. Duration, stocking density, climate, and animal preparation all determine the degree of suffering involved.
Long-distance livestock transport causes welfare compromise at multiple stages: the stress of loading and unfamiliar vehicle environments, potential dehydration and starvation during transit, temperature extremes, injury from vehicle movement, and the additional stress of arrival, unloading, and sale or slaughter. The welfare case for slaughter at origin — killing animals close to their farm of origin and transporting the chilled product — is strong and economically viable. The persistence of long-distance live transport, despite the availability of this alternative, reflects commercial and cultural factors rather than welfare or economic necessity. Legislative reform to end long-distance live export for slaughter is a high-impact welfare campaign that has achieved results in several EU member states.