Live animals transported across borders and continents face journeys of many hours to many days, with documented welfare harms that have driven significant reform efforts.
Long-distance live animal transport causes welfare harm through multiple mechanisms: thermal stress from extreme temperatures, prolonged feed and water deprivation, motion sickness, injury from falls and pressure wounds, fear responses, and exhaustion. The welfare costs increase proportionally with journey duration. The most welfare-protective approach is to transport carcasses and processed products rather than living animals. Where live transport is necessary, journey time limits, mandatory rest stops with feed and water, temperature controls, and density limits all reduce but do not eliminate welfare harm.