Farm Animals

Cattle Transport Duration and Rest Stops

Long-distance cattle transport causes cumulative welfare harm, and evidence supports maximum journey times and mandatory rest stops to reduce suffering.

Key Facts

Cattle show rising cortisol throughout transport that does not fully plateau
EU regulations require rest, water, and feed stops for journeys over 8 hours
Liveweight loss and muscle damage increase with journey duration
Calves are particularly vulnerable to dehydration during long transport
Rest stop quality varies significantly and can itself be a welfare risk

Welfare Considerations

Long-distance cattle transport is one of the highest-volume welfare challenges in the EU agricultural system. Each additional hour of transport adds cumulative suffering. Enforcing maximum journey times and improving rest stop standards are among the highest-impact legislative priorities.

What You Can Do

Support campaigns for reduced maximum journey times for livestock
Advocate for enforcement of existing transport welfare regulations
Choose beef from producers with short, local supply chains