Reducing livestock transport distances is one of the most impactful ways to improve farm animal welfare, with significant welfare benefits from shorter journeys and local slaughter.
Each additional hour of transport increases the probability of injury, illness, and death in transported livestock. Animals transported for 24+ hours without food, water, or rest arrive at slaughter in significantly compromised physiological condition. Stress during transport increases susceptibility to respiratory disease and affects meat quality. The consolidation of slaughterhouse infrastructure that has required longer transport reflects economic efficiency pressures that trade off directly against animal welfare. Rebuilding local slaughter capacity would provide immediate welfare benefits for millions of animals.