Transporting cattle for slaughter or breeding over long distances causes stress, injury, and death. Evidence-based transport guidelines can substantially reduce welfare harms.
Long-distance transport subjects cattle to a cascade of welfare challenges: unfamiliar groups, confinement, motion stress, feed and water withdrawal, and temperature extremes. Journey deaths and injuries are preventable. Evidence supports shorter maximum journey times, mandatory rest and watering stops, trained handlers, and temperature-controlled vehicles. These measures reduce suffering and economic losses simultaneously.