Transport to slaughter is a high-risk welfare period affecting billions of farm animals annually, with journey duration, vehicle conditions, and handling practices all significantly impacting animal welfare outcomes.
Transport to slaughter is inherently stressful for farm animals and causes welfare harm proportional to journey duration and vehicle conditions. Animals unfamiliar with transport experience fear from vehicle movement, novel environments, and mixing with unfamiliar animals. Extended journeys cause exhaustion, dehydration, and injury. Temperature management is critical as both heat and cold stress cause significant welfare harm and mortality. The welfare case for reducing maximum journey times and improving vehicle conditions through technology and regulation is strong, supported by consistent evidence linking journey duration to welfare outcomes.