Farm Animals

Cattle Transport Welfare During Long Journeys

Long-distance transport of cattle poses significant welfare risks including exhaustion, dehydration, injury, and disease. Strong regulations are needed to limit journey durations.

Key Facts

EU regulations permit cattle journeys up to 29 hours with rest, water, and feed stops
Transport mortality is low but morbidity during and after transport is significant
Mixing animals during transport increases aggression and disease transmission
Space allowances during transport are often below recommended minimums
Post-journey recovery can take days and affects subsequent productivity and welfare

Welfare Considerations

Transport stress accumulates throughout long journeys, causing fatigue, dehydration, and immune suppression. Cattle transported for more than 8 hours show significant physiological stress markers. The welfare case for limiting journey duration is strong, with 8 hours being widely recommended as a maximum for unloading and rest.

What You Can Do

Support campaigns to limit live animal transport journey times
Ask your food retailer about their live transport policies
Choose products from local supply chains with shorter transport distances