Transport is a major welfare challenge for farm animals, with journey duration, loading procedures, and vehicle conditions all significantly affecting animal experience.
Livestock transport is an inherently stressful welfare event that challenges animals with novel environments, social disruption, movement, noise, and temperature fluctuation. Short, well-managed transport journeys cause temporary stress that animals recover from; long international transports cause progressive welfare deterioration including fatigue, weight loss, immune suppression, and increased disease susceptibility. The loading and unloading phases are particularly hazardous - injuries from ramps, electric prods, and unfamiliar handlers cause acute welfare crises in otherwise healthy animals. Welfare improvement requires both better transport conditions and shorter journey durations. Support for local abattoir networks that reduce transport distances is one of the most directly welfare-positive food system changes available.