Long-distance transport of live cattle across European borders causes significant welfare problems including exhaustion, dehydration, injury, and heat stress. EU regulations exist but enforcement is patchy and journey times remain excessive.
Long-distance livestock transport welfare has been documented through both scientific research and investigative evidence. Studies show cortisol elevation, weight loss, injuries, and illness rates correlate with journey length and conditions. EU regulations provide a legal framework but enforcement by national authorities is inconsistent, and some countries have poor records of application. The most effective welfare solution - slaughtering animals closer to where they are produced and transporting meat rather than live animals - is largely a matter of economic and political will. Consumer demand for traceable, lower-journey-time products can create market pressure for reform.