Farm Animal Welfare

Pig Welfare and Slaughter Transport: Minimising Stress

Transport to slaughter is one of the most stressful events in a pig's life. Journey duration, stocking density, loading conditions and driver behaviour all affect welfare outcomes.

Key Facts

Pigs show significantly elevated cortisol during the first two hours of transport
Journey duration over eight hours significantly increases welfare compromise in pigs
Mixing unfamiliar pigs for transport causes additional aggression and stress
Driver behaviour including acceleration and cornering affects pig welfare during transport
Lairage periods at slaughter plants should be minimised to reduce cumulative transport stress

Welfare Considerations

Transport welfare for pigs is a welfare bottleneck at the end of the production cycle. Journey time limits, stocking density standards and driver training combine to reduce this significant welfare cost.

What You Can Do

Support journey time limit campaigns for pigs, particularly for export transport
Advocate for transport welfare enforcement including journey time and stocking density monitoring
Choose pork from supply chains with verified short-journey, local abattoir slaughter