Livestock Transport Duration Limits: Science and Policy

Transport duration is a critical welfare variable for all farm animals, and evidence-based limits on journey times are among the most impactful transport welfare policies.

Key Facts

Current EU transport regulations allow pig transport for up to 24 hours with a 24-hour rest period
Poultry transport is limited to 12 hours with no rest period required due to challenges of providing water mid-journey
Post-Brexit, the UK has the opportunity to introduce stricter journey time limits than current EU rules
Scientific evidence shows welfare deteriorates progressively from approximately 6-8 hours for most farm animal species
Several EU member states including Belgium have introduced stricter national journey time limits than EU minimums

Welfare Considerations

Transport duration is one of the most powerfully welfare-relevant policy variables in livestock management. Evidence from multiple species shows that welfare deteriorates progressively with journey length as dehydration, fatigue, thermal stress and anxiety accumulate. Shorter journey time limits, combined with improved transport conditions, are among the highest-leverage policy interventions available to improve livestock transport welfare. The UK's post-Brexit regulatory autonomy creates an opportunity to establish stricter journey time limits that could improve welfare for millions of animals annually.

What You Can Do

Advocate for UK journey time limits to be reduced to 8 hours maximum for all farm animals
Support the Humane Society International and Compassion in World Farming campaigns on transport welfare
Encourage local abattoir infrastructure investment to reduce transport distances
Choose meat from producers who source locally, reducing the need for long-distance animal transport
Engage with parliamentary processes when livestock transport regulations are reviewed