Live animal export for fattening and slaughter involves long-distance transport with significant welfare risks. Post-Brexit UK has maintained restrictions; globally, live trade continues at vast scale.
Live animal export welfare failures are among the most graphic and disturbing documented in contemporary animal welfare: cattle overcrowded in extreme heat on open-deck ships, dead animals among living ones, welfare inspection failures at ports, and slaughter conditions at destination that fall far below origin country standards. The welfare case for replacing live exports with chilled meat trade is compelling - the economic value is equivalent, the welfare cost is essentially eliminated. The UK's post-Brexit live export ban is a significant welfare achievement; advocating for equivalent standards and practices in major exporting countries is the next welfare priority.