Long-distance live cattle transport poses some of the most serious welfare challenges in the livestock industry, with evidence-based solutions including journey limits and improved vehicle standards.
Long-distance cattle transport is one of the highest-impact welfare failures in global agriculture. The combination of loading stress, unfamiliar environments, restricted movement, disrupted social groups, and prolonged duration causes severe, cumulative welfare harm. Current regulatory standards in many countries are significantly weaker than welfare science recommends. The economic arguments for long-distance live export — primarily to allow animals to be slaughtered in destination countries for cultural or market reasons — must be weighed against the welfare cost to millions of animals annually. The alternative of slaughtering animals close to their farm of origin and transporting carcasses rather than live animals eliminates many transport welfare concerns while being economically viable.