The transport of live animals for slaughter or trade causes significant welfare harm, and reform efforts have made progress but much remains to be done.
Live animal transport is one of the most persistent and difficult-to-reform welfare problems in food production. The journey from farm to slaughter or to a distant market exposes animals to a cascade of welfare insults: loading stress, social disruption, unfamiliar environments, temperature extremes, restricted water access, and prolonged confinement. The welfare argument for slaughter close to the farm of origin, with chilled or frozen meat transported instead of live animals, is compelling. This model already operates successfully in many contexts. The barriers are economic and cultural rather than practical. Post-Brexit, the UK had an opportunity to lead on journey time reduction and has been slow to act. This is an area where sustained advocacy can create real change.