Long-distance transport of live cattle is one of the most significant welfare challenges in the livestock industry, causing stress, injury, and sometimes death that appropriate regulation can reduce.
Long-distance transport causes significant and well-documented welfare harm to cattle. Loading and unloading procedures involve unfamiliar environments, handling by strangers, and sometimes aggressive goading that causes acute fear. During transport, cattle are exposed to motion sickness, vibration, unfamiliar smells, inability to rest comfortably, and often feed and water restriction. Long international sea journeys multiply these harms enormously. The welfare case for slaughter as close to the farm of origin as possible, with chilled or frozen product transported rather than live animals, is strong and economically achievable with appropriate investment in local processing infrastructure.