The distance animals travel to slaughter is a significant welfare determinant. Local abattoir closures have extended journey times for many animals, driving welfare concerns and advocacy for local slaughter facilities.
The consolidation of slaughter facilities into large plants serving wide geographic areas has significantly increased pre-slaughter stress for farm animals. The journey to slaughter is already a welfare-significant event; increasing its duration compounds the fear, social disruption and physical stress involved. Large abattoirs also reduce the likelihood that animals will encounter familiar handlers who can manage them with less stress. Mobile slaughter units represent a welfare-superior alternative that eliminates transport stress entirely, but face regulatory and economic barriers to widespread adoption. The welfare case for short journey times to slaughter is strong and supported by research - animals slaughtered close to their farm of origin show lower stress indicators throughout the pre-slaughter period.