Long-distance cattle transport causes significant welfare harm - reform efforts focus on journey limits, conditions, and the alternative of slaughtering closer to farm.
Long-distance cattle transport is one of the most significant acute welfare events in livestock management. Journey stress accumulates with duration - fatigue, dehydration, and injury from loading/unloading and social disruption all worsen over time. The UK's commitment to ending live export for slaughter, while maintaining live transport for breeding purposes, represents a partial welfare improvement. The long-term welfare solution is local slaughter infrastructure enabling shorter journey times for all animals. Consumer and retailer support for locally produced meat from animals transported minimally supports economic viability of local abattoirs.