Pre-transport factors affecting the welfare of cattle during road transport for slaughter – a review

Abstract

In terms of animal welfare, transport per se is very important in the course of the transportation process and transport duration is considered as one of the determining factors, however, the phase that precedes the actual transport is also of great importance (and often even more important) as to stress induction. This pre-transport phase includes many aspects, such as on-farm handling, rearing conditions, assembly of animals, classifying, weighing, repenning in a new environment, re-grouping, mixing with unfamiliar animals, and handling at loading, which is regarded as the most significant factor affecting animal welfare. Therefore, the present work focuses on the factors that play a role during this phase. Those factors are naturally interconnected and their adverse consecutive effects on animal welfare can hardly be separated.

Editorial: The Implications of Transport Practices for Horse Health and Welfare

“…Animals are transported frequently for many different reasons, from competing to slaughter, over short or long distances during their lifetimes. However, transportation is a significant stressor for animals and frequently leads to severe behavioral and health problems (1)(2)(3). Transportation has therefore to be considered as a human-related risk for our animals (4, 5).…”

Ethical Aspects of Sustainable Development in Polish Enterprises Transporting Animals for Slaughter

“…noise, smell, changes in temperature, humidity, vibrations and lack of food and water (Dousek, Večerek, Valcl, Chloupek, Pińtěková, 2002;Llonch, et al, 2018). The main factors that affect farm animal welfare during transport include the pre-, during-and post-road transport (Marahrens, et al 2011;Ńímová, Večerek, Passantino, Voslářová, 2016;Laaksonen, Jokelainen, Pusenius, Oksanen, 2017;Broom, 2005). Pre-journey factors are as follows (Padalino, et.al., 2018):  on farm handling,  rearing conditions,  assembly of animals,  classifying,  weighing,  assimilation into a new environment;  regrouping  mixing with unfamiliar animals,  fitness for transport,  handling at loading.…”

Effects of Transport Conditions on Behavioural and Physiological Responses of Horses

“…We have recently shown that 12 hours' transportation is associated with ulceration of the gastric squamous mucosa in fasted horses, associated with increased pH of gastric content, and possibly with decreased gastrointestinal motility in horses fed 1 h and 6 h prior to transportation [7]. Animal management during transportation may influence disease outcomes [8][9][10], and international regulations on land transportation of live animals have been updated based on recent publications to safeguard the welfare of transported animals. However, there is still no agreement in mandatory requirements between countries and evidence in support of some recommendations is limited.…”