Long-distance cattle transport causes significant welfare problems through fatigue, dehydration, heat stress, and injury, with distance limits and journey conditions key welfare levers.
Key Facts
EU law limits cattle transport to 8 hours without a rest and feed stop
Longer journeys of 24 hours or more are permitted with special conditions including water access
Muscle injury from falling or fighting during transport is a major welfare problem
Loading density affects animal welfare, with optimal densities varying by weight class
Journey competence assessment (fitness to travel) should prevent transport of sick animals
Welfare Considerations
Long-distance transport causes significant suffering that scales with journey duration. Reducing journey distances and improving transport conditions prevents large amounts of avoidable suffering.
What You Can Do
Support legislation reducing maximum cattle transport journey times
Choose locally-sourced beef from farms with short supply chains where possible
Advocate for CCTV monitoring and better enforcement of transport welfare regulations
Raise awareness of transport welfare as a food system issue