Transport is among the most stressful experiences for farm pigs, involving unfamiliar environments, mixing of groups, and physical handling. Best practice significantly reduces this welfare burden.
Pig transport is an unavoidable welfare event in commercial production, but the welfare cost varies enormously with how it is conducted. The most impactful improvements are in loading and unloading: the combination of unfamiliar handlers, novel surfaces, poor lighting, and inappropriate use of electric goads creates conditions of acute fear and injury risk. Positive handling techniques — using pig boards, calm movement, and appropriate lighting — significantly reduce stress during these critical transitions. Maintaining familiar social groups throughout transport eliminates mixing-induced aggression. Temperature management during summer transport requires pre-cooling of vehicles and journey timing to avoid peak heat. Reducing journey time through local slaughter facilities is a structural welfare improvement that benefits pigs while also reducing transport sector costs.