Multiple transport events between farms, markets, and processors create cumulative welfare stress for livestock, and consolidating supply chains to reduce transport legs improves welfare outcomes.
Supply chain complexity directly translates into welfare cost for livestock. Each loading, transport, and unloading event causes stress, with recovery between events incomplete when journeys are closely spaced. Social mixing at markets adds disease and aggression risk. Consolidating supply chains — moving from multi-leg to direct or minimally legged transport — reduces cumulative welfare burden substantially. The welfare case for shorter, simpler supply chains is strong and aligns with disease management interests. Consumer and retailer preference for transparent, traceable supply chains creates market incentives for supply chain simplification.