Cattle transport causes significant acute welfare costs through handling, loading, motion, noise, temperature extremes, and social disruption. Long-distance live export raises the most serious welfare concerns.
Transport is an unavoidable welfare stress in livestock production but one that varies enormously in severity based on journey duration, animal preparation, vehicle condition, and management quality. The welfare case for minimising journey times and improving journey conditions is strong. The ban on long-distance live export from the UK represents a significant welfare advance that eliminates some of the most prolonged transport suffering. Continued advocacy for shorter maximum journey times and improved transport conditions in domestic movements would further reduce welfare costs.