Long-distance live transport of cattle for slaughter and fattening causes significant welfare compromise that can be substantially reduced by slaughter near origin and chilled meat trade.
Cattle transported long distances experience multiple welfare insults including unfamiliar handling, novel environments, noise, motion, social disruption from mixing, and deprivation of normal resting and feeding behaviour. Journeys of more than 12 hours in non-optimal conditions cause measurable immune suppression and weight loss. International live export routes extending to North Africa and the Middle East subject cattle to journeys of many days in conditions frequently found to breach basic welfare standards. Slaughter near origin with chilled meat trade represents the welfare-optimal alternative.