Welfare of domestic birds and rabbits transported in containers

Abstract

This opinion, produced upon a request from the European Commission, focuses on transport of domestic birds and rabbits in containers (e.g. any crate, box, receptacle or other rigid structure used for the transport of animals, but not the means of transport itself). It describes and assesses current transport practices in the EU, based on data from literature, Member States and expert opinion. The species and categories of domestic birds assessed were mainly chickens for meat (broilers), end-of-lay hens and dayold chicks. They included to a lesser extent pullets, turkeys, ducks, geese, quails and game birds, due to limited scientific evidence. The opinion focuses on road transport to slaughterhouses or to production sites. For day-old chicks, air transport is also addressed. The relevant stages of transport considered are preparation, loading, journey, arrival and uncrating. Welfare consequences associated with current transport practices were identified for each stage. For loading and uncrating, the highly relevant welfare consequences identified are handling stress, injuries, restriction of movement and sensory overstimulation. For the journey and arrival, injuries, restriction of movement, sensory overstimulation, motion stress, heat stress, cold stress, prolonged hunger and prolonged thirst are identified as highly relevant. For each welfare consequence, animal-based measures (ABMs) and hazards were identified and assessed, and both preventive and corrective or mitigative measures proposed. Recommendations on quantitative criteria to prevent or mitigate welfare consequences are provided for microclimatic conditions, space allowances and journey times for all categories of animals, where scientific evidence and expert opinion support such outcomes.

Transmission of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) during animal transport

“…The work for the development of this Scientific Opinion was undertaken with the advice of EFSA Animal Health and Animal Welfare Panel (AHAW) which worked in parallel to answer the European Commission Mandate: ‘Request for a Scientific Opinion concerning the protection of terrestrial animals during transport’ (EFSA AHAW Panel, 2022a , b , c ).…”

“…there has been transport from the farm of origin to the fattening unit, sometimes with some intermediate stops such as livestock assembly centres (including markets, dealers' premises or holdings that only cover a certain part of the rearing period). Likewise, 5.5 billion chickens in the EU have been transported yearly as day‐old chicks from the hatchery to the farm and to the abattoir for slaughter at the end of the fattening period or productive life, or from rearing farms to production farms (EFSA AHAW Panel, 2022a ).…”

“…increase space by 20% in case of hot weather). Since space allowance is considered one of the most important risk factors for poor health and welfare, the current minimum space allowance is under revision (EFSA AHAW Panel, 2022a , b , c ). Cattle are usually transported on single deck vehicles, able to move around freely.…”

“…More information can be found in the previously mentioned ‘Animal Transport Guides’ ( www.animaltransportguides.eu/materials/ ) and recently published EFSA Scientific Opinions (EFSA AHAW Panel, 2022a , b , c ). In these Opinions, the journey has been split in different stages, which are different depending on the species and if the animals travel or not in containers.…”

“…The crates are loaded into modules and then onto trucks. Trucks often travel for several hours (EFSA AHAW Panel, 2022a ). During the journey, animals are subjected to stress caused by microclimatic conditions, motion of the vehicle, vibration and noise.…”