Long-distance livestock transport without adequate water access causes severe welfare harm - international and domestic transport regulations set limits but enforcement and compliance vary widely.
Livestock transport welfare is a complex multi-factor challenge. Animals face cumulative welfare costs from loading, travel, unloading and regrouping that interact with journey duration, climatic conditions and pre-transport management. Water access in transit is technically required but access to functional drinkers by stressed, unfamiliar animals in moving vehicles is often poor. Journey time limits represent a minimum standard that should be accompanied by quality standards for vehicle conditions, loading density and climatic control. Post-Brexit changes to UK export regulations represent both an opportunity and risk for long-distance transport welfare. Advocates should focus on journey time reduction and journey quality improvement simultaneously.