Farm

Transport Stress in Pigs: Loading and Journey Welfare

Pig transport is a significant welfare challenge with clear evidence of stress, injury, and mortality during loading, transit, and unloading.

Key Facts

Pig transport deaths in the UK average around 90 per million pigs transported
Loading onto transport vehicles is a major stress point due to unfamiliar environments and handling
Mixing unfamiliar pigs causes fighting during transport, producing injuries and welfare costs
Lower stocking densities during transport significantly reduce fighting, temperature stress, and mortality

Welfare Considerations

Transport stress causes acute fear, physical injury, and sometimes death. The welfare harm is proportional to journey length, stocking density, and handler skill. Maximum journey time limits, mandatory lairage, and handler training requirements directly reduce welfare harm.

What You Can Do

Advocate for shorter maximum journey times for pigs under EU and UK regulations
Support handler training requirements for loading and transport welfare
Engage with supermarket supply chain welfare audits that include transport welfare assessment