Indicator 6.4
Issue: Transport of farm animals
Indicator: Policy on transport of farm animals
- Importance of the issue
- Evidence of welfare importance
- How supermarkets can help
- Indicator of the welfare of animals in transit
- Desired outcome
Importance of the Issue
The long distance transport of animals for slaughter or further fattening is a hot topic in Europe. Millions of farm animals undergo transport over long distances within the UK and across Europe, simply to be slaughtered at the journey’s end. The animals are often packed into poorly ventilated lorries and taken on journeys that can last 24 hours or more to slaughter.
New European rules governing the transport of animals were drawn up after the seminal UK campaign against the ‘live export trade’ in 1994-96. The resulting law, supposedly in place “for the protection of animals during transport”, extended the allowable journey times for animals and amounted to a counterproductive relaxation of the rules in this respect. Sheep, for example, can legally be transported for 30 hours without a proper break for food, water or rest. After a subsequent 24-hour rest period, the animals can be reloaded and taken for yet another 30 hours. In this way, British animals are often ending up in southern European countries such as Spain and Italy.
Animal welfare organisations continue to press for animals to be slaughtered as near to the farm of rearing as possible. A total maximum journey time of 8 hours from farm to abattoir should be imposed for all red meat animals travelling from farm to slaughter. For poultry, the total maximum journey time should be no more than 4 hours.
Evidence of Welfare Importance
Researchers at Bristol University in the UK concluded; “transport is a stressful process involving psychological and physical stress” (Knowles et al., 1996). Many hours of investigative footage by European animal welfare groups testify to the fact that, despite seemingly elaborate legal rules to ‘protect’ transported animals, enormous suffering remains widespread.
Animal welfarists continue to press for the slaughter of all farm animals, including poultry, to be carried out as near as possible to the farm of origin.
How supermarkets can help
There is concern that supermarkets may be causing unnecessarily long journeys for animals travelling to abattoirs within the UK due to centralised slaughter facilities. Supermarkets are encouraged to help reduce journey times by specifying maximum journey times for animals destined for their stores, whether in the UK or abroad. A total maximum journey time of 8 hours from farm to abattoir should be imposed for all red meat animals travelling from farm to slaughter. For poultry, the total maximum journey time should be no more than 4 hours. Of course, maximums that exceed this welfare requirement are to be welcomed. In addition, steps should be taken to ensure that average journey times remain well below these maximums. Ensuring that animals are slaughtered as near to the farm of rearing as is practically possible will achieve this aim.
Indicator of the welfare of animals in transit
The following questions form the ‘Race to the Top’ indicator of supermarket performance on animal transport:
- What is the total maximum journey time (hours) from farm to slaughter allowed by your company for cattle, sheep and pigs?
- What is the average journey time that an animal (cattle, sheep and pigs) travels from farm to slaughter for your company?
- What is the maximum number of movements for beef cattle that your company will allow using cattle passports as a means of verifying this?
Desired outcome
Supermarkets should set total maximum journey times of 8 hours or less for all red meat animals. Average journey times should be well below this maximum. The number of movements for beef cattle indicated on cattle passports should be minimal.