The transport of livestock between farms, markets, and slaughter facilities causes significant welfare harms. Understanding the science of transport stress enables targeted interventions to reduce suffering.
Transport is an unavoidable phase of conventional livestock production that cannot be fully welfare-neutral but can be made significantly less harmful through better practice. Evidence supports maximum journey time limits, mandatory water and feed access, appropriate stocking densities, and training for handlers. Abattoir proximity as a default reduces transport duration and associated welfare harms. Every improvement in transport welfare affects billions of animals annually.