Livestock

Sheep Transport Welfare: Long Journeys and Suffering

Sheep are transported long distances for finishing, breeding, and slaughter creating significant welfare burdens.

Key Facts

Millions of sheep are transported across Europe each year for slaughter and breeding
EU rules permit transport of animals for up to 29 hours without rest or water
UK exported live animals before Brexit with controversial welfare standards
Journey stress causes immune suppression making animals more susceptible to respiratory disease
Young lambs and heavily pregnant ewes are particularly vulnerable to transport stress

Welfare Considerations

Sheep transport causes fear, crowding stress, motion sickness, dehydration, and physical injury from falls and trampling. Long journeys without adequate rest and water compound suffering. Mixing of unfamiliar animals in vehicles leads to aggression. Animals loading at abattoirs may see and hear others being slaughtered adding extreme stress. The welfare costs are highest for live export over long distances where conditions are least regulated.

What You Can Do

Support Compassion in World Farming campaigns to end long-distance live animal transport
Choose British meat from locally slaughtered animals where possible
Advocate for a legal maximum journey time of 8 hours for slaughter animals
Support investment in local abattoir infrastructure to reduce transport distances
Write to your MP to support stronger transport welfare legislation