Long-distance cattle transport causes significant welfare impacts that are proportional to journey duration, vehicle quality and management practices throughout the journey.
Long-distance cattle transport causes a cumulative welfare burden that increases with every hour of the journey. Cattle experience stress from loading, unfamiliar animals, novel environments, motion sickness, noise, temperature changes and prolonged standing. The immune suppression caused by transport stress predisposes to bovine respiratory disease which is a leading cause of mortality in young cattle after transport. The economic incentive to transport cattle to slaughter or fattening facilities at the lowest cost frequently conflicts with welfare requirements. Reducing transport distances by increasing local slaughter capacity is one of the most effective systemic welfare improvements.