Live animal transport by sea involves some of the worst documented animal welfare failures in the livestock industry, with high mortality rates and extreme suffering.
Maritime live animal export generates severe welfare failures that investigations have documented repeatedly: heat stress deaths, disease outbreaks, injuries from falling during rough seas, and extreme crowding below decks. The systemic problems are structural — ships designed for other purposes, profit pressure reducing monitoring, and destination countries with lower welfare enforcement. Replacing live export with chilled or frozen meat trade eliminates the worst welfare outcomes while maintaining the economic relationship.