Welfare Science

Farm Animal Transport Competence Assessment

Assessing animal fitness to travel before transport is a legal requirement in the EU and UK that prevents significant suffering, but enforcement and training remain inconsistent.

Key Facts

EU and UK transport law prohibits transport of animals unable to stand or in pain
Journey competence assessment requires trained personnel at loading points
Sick, injured, late-pregnant, or recently post-partum animals may not be legally transported
Cull animals including lame sows are often transported in violation of transport law
Veterinary transport certificates are required for journeys over 8 hours in the EU

Welfare Considerations

Transporting unfit animals causes enormous suffering. Consistent application of journey competence standards prevents this but requires training, enforcement, and industry culture change.

What You Can Do

Support training programmes in journey competence assessment for livestock handlers
Advocate for stronger enforcement of transport fitness regulations
Report suspected transport of unfit animals to the relevant welfare authority
Support certification schemes requiring journey competence assessment documentation