Every year, more than 360 million animals are transported via European roads, rail and waterways and at least six million of those animals are subjected to long-distance transport that is often detrimental to their welfare. Loading and unloading activities are very stressful operations and long transport adds to the stress and suffering by exposing the animals to a lack of space, hunger, thirst and exhaustion. Some journeys often last for more than 40 to 50 hours and it may even take as long as 90 hours before the animals reach their destinations.
Figures have shown that the intended purpose of 45% of the EU’s long distance live animal trade is slaughter and 55% of the transport is carried out with a view to further fatten the animals. This shows that a large proportion of animals are not slaughtered as close as possible from where they were reared, but rather transported only to be killed shortly upon arrival. The reasons for not slaughtering animals locally are most often economically motivated.
Scientific reports have shown that transporting live animals comes with the risk of exposing the animals to the possibility of contracting or spreading diseases. It also leads to poor welfare conditions which may result in a reduction of meat quality and even in a possible loss of animals, if they die during transportation.
For more information on this issue, please visit:
Current legislation is Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 on the protection of animals during transport
European Commission DG Sanco: Animal Welfare during transport – Ongoing initiatives
European Parliament activities:
Written questions:
Live animal transport by Nigel Farage (EFD)
Animal welfare by William (The Earl of) Dartmouth (EFD)
Export and transport of live animals by Cristiana Muscardini (PPE)
