Cattle transport exposes animals to multiple simultaneous stressors. Evidence-based journey management, vehicle design standards, and driver training all significantly affect individual welfare outcomes.
Cattle transport welfare is one of the most challenging aspects of farm animal welfare to regulate and enforce because it occurs across public roads, at multiple sites, and involves complex interactions between vehicle standards, driver behavior, and animal management. Individual animals cannot advocate for themselves when transport conditions deteriorate - when ventilation fails in summer heat, when water is unavailable on long journeys, or when aggressive animals are mixed with vulnerable ones. The welfare case for reducing transport distances, improving vehicle standards, and requiring driver welfare training is strong and practically achievable with appropriate regulatory commitment.