Long-distance transport of cattle causes significant welfare harm through prolonged confinement, thermal stress, dehydration, and social disruption. Evidence supports shorter journeys and slaughter closer to farms.
Long-distance cattle transport causes a compounding welfare burden: initial loading stress (novel vehicle, handling, noise), journey stress (vehicle motion, temperature fluctuation, social disruption), and destination stress (novel environment, potential mixing with unfamiliar animals). The welfare impact accumulates with distance, though some evidence suggests cattle can adapt partially to vehicle conditions over the first few hours. Young calves being transported across Europe for veal production represent one of the most welfare-compromised transport categories: animals that have not yet developed robust stress responses are subjected to international journeys in mixed-age groups. Mobile slaughter units that allow on-farm killing eliminate transport welfare entirely for the slaughter event; their wider adoption is constrained by regulatory requirements for fixed-facility inspections. Supporting local and regional slaughter infrastructure reduces transport distances and welfare impact.