Farm Animal Welfare

Livestock Transport in Extreme Heat Welfare

Livestock transport during heatwaves causes preventable suffering and mortality. Thermal management and transport restrictions protect animal welfare.

Key Facts

Livestock transport mortality spikes significantly during periods of extreme heat
Pigs and poultry are most vulnerable to heat stress due to limited thermoregulatory capacity
Maximum temperature restrictions for livestock transport exist in EU law but enforcement is inconsistent
Ventilated vehicles with sprinkler systems reduce heat stress mortality dramatically
Loading pens exposed to direct sun before loading can raise animal body temperature dangerously

Welfare Considerations

Heat stress during livestock transport is an acute, preventable welfare crisis that intensifies with climate change. Animals transported in conditions exceeding their thermal tolerance experience severe physiological stress that can lead to death within hours. Enforcing and strengthening temperature restrictions, while investing in vehicle cooling technology, is urgently needed.

What You Can Do

Advocate for stronger enforcement of temperature restrictions on livestock transport
Support livestock welfare organizations monitoring transport conditions
Choose meat and dairy from local farms minimizing long-distance transport
Urge food companies to adopt supply chain standards prohibiting high-heat transport