Pig transport causes significant welfare compromise through stress, temperature extremes, exhaustion and injury - long journeys compound these harms substantially.
Pig transport represents one of the most significant acute welfare events in the production cycle. The combination of novel environment, unfamiliar conspecifics, noise, vibration and temperature variation causes substantial stress. Long journeys compound these harms through exhaustion, dehydration and cumulative stress. Welfare-centred transport policy limits journey times, requires appropriate vehicle design and temperature management, and enforces fitness-for-transport standards. The most welfare-positive approach is to slaughter as close to the farm of origin as possible.