The welfare of livestock during road transport.

Abstract

The welfare of animals during transport should be assessed using a range of behavioural, physiological and carcass quality measures. In addition, health is an important part of welfare so the extent of any disease, injury or mortality resulting from, or exacerbated by, transport should be measured. Many of the indicators are measures of stress in that they involve long-term adverse effects on the individual. Some of the key factors affecting the welfare of animals during handling and transport which are discussed are: attitudes to animals and the need for training of staff; methods of payment of staff; laws and retailers' codes; genetics especially selection for high productivity; rearing conditions and experience; the mixing of animals from different social groups; handling procedures; driving methods; stocking density; journey length; increased susceptibility to disease; and increased spread of disease. In order that welfare can be good during transport, it is important that all of those involved are properly informed about the animals and how to assess their welfare. There should be careful planning of journeys and suitable vehicles should be selected. Space allowances should be sufficient for the animals to lie in most species, to stand in the case of all horses, and cattle and sheep on short journeys, and to move to get food and water if the journey is long enough for this to be necessary. Vehicle design and space allowance should allow for adequate inspection of each animal on the vehicle or, if this is not possible, journey time should be kept short. Long journeys, the term long having different meanings for different species as explained below, should be avoided wherever possible and much better conditions are needed if journeys are long. Vehicles should be driven more carefully than vehicles with human passengers and sudden turns and braking should be avoided, especially on roads with sharp bends or at right angle turns into other roads. Ventilation management and other efforts to avoid harmful physical conditions are important. Transport should be managed so that disease susceptibility is not high and disease spread is minimized.