Livestock Welfare in Heat Events

Extreme heat events are becoming more frequent and severe, creating acute welfare crises for livestock that lack adequate cooling and shade in poorly designed housing systems.

Key Facts

The July 2022 UK heat event saw temperatures exceed 40 degrees Celsius - unprecedented in recorded history
Cattle begin experiencing heat stress above 25 degrees Celsius combined with high humidity
Pigs are particularly vulnerable to heat stress as they cannot sweat and depend on wallowing
High heat causes mortality in poultry flocks when ventilation systems fail or are inadequate
Climate projections indicate UK summers will see more frequent and severe heat events through the century

Welfare Considerations

Extreme heat events create acute welfare crises for livestock, causing heat exhaustion, organ failure, and death in severe cases. The 2022 UK heat event caused significant livestock mortality and welfare incidents in facilities unprepared for temperatures outside normal UK ranges. Preparedness requires heat stress management plans, emergency ventilation capacity, water provision, and action protocols for early warning conditions. Beyond acute emergencies, chronic low-grade heat stress impairs immune function, reproduction, and quality of life throughout warm summer periods. Climate adaptation planning must now include livestock welfare as a central consideration alongside productivity and environmental sustainability.

What You Can Do

Support livestock farm standards requiring heat emergency preparedness plans and cooling infrastructure
Advocate for climate risk assessments to be mandatory in farm welfare planning and licensing
Buy from farms with documented heat stress management protocols
Support farmer organizations providing heat event advisory services and emergency response guidance
Raise awareness that climate change is a livestock welfare emergency requiring proactive farm adaptation