Long-distance livestock transport requires periodic rest stops for feeding, watering, and rest, with the quality of these facilities critically affecting animal welfare during journeys.
Rest stops are a critical intervention point in long livestock journeys, but only if facilities are adequate, welfare monitoring is effective, and animals are genuinely resting rather than subjected to additional stress from poor unloading and handling. The gap between regulatory standards and actual rest stop quality in many countries undermines the welfare rationale for allowing long journeys at all. Journey time limits are ultimately the most effective welfare measure.