Long-distance livestock transport causes significant welfare harms through exhaustion, dehydration, and stress. EU reforms represent progress, but substantial gaps remain globally.
Long-distance livestock transport represents one of the most extensive sources of agricultural animal suffering globally. The journey itself — lasting up to 72 hours in some unregulated contexts — subjects animals to social disruption, physical exhaustion, dehydration, temperature extremes, and injury. The EU has the most comprehensive regulatory framework globally but still falls short in enforcement and live export controls. The structural solution — slaughter at or near origin followed by chilled meat trade — eliminates transport welfare harms entirely and deserves much stronger policy support.