The literature available on production animal transportation paints a clear
picture of the harmful physiological and psychological effects long haul
transportation has on animals. Conditions associated with transportation
including loading and unloading, confinement, unfamiliar environments and
separation from family groups, inadequate ventilation and exposure to
extreme climates, and physical force such as jolting or vibrations are all
known stressors associated with transport (Adams, 1994). These stressors
have a significant impact on an animal’s ability to cope with its environment,
therefore causing stress when these coping methods begin to break down
(Adams, 1994). It is also important to remember that evidence of adaptations
and coping methods in stressful environments may also act as evidence of
negative welfare impacts (Adam, 1994). The relationship between stress,
general adaptation syndrome, and disease resistance is well documented
and should be considered when examining current animal transportation
legislation. When animals are exposed to extreme temperatures, inadequate
nutrition, and harmful social interactions with other animals and handlers,
declines in immunological responses including a lack of resistance to disease
are common (Adams, 1994; Kelley, 1980). Salmonellosis in all livestock
animals, so called “shipping fever” or pasteurellosis in cattle, and transit
tetany in ruminants are all examples of diseases associated with
immunological deficiencies caused by stress. These factors play an important
role in the examination of animal welfare during transportation, but they also
act as important factors for public health. Decreased immunity caused by
stress before slaughter aids in the successful colonization of animals by
harmful bacteria, therefore negatively impacting meat quality (Lambooij,
2000; Smith and Grandin, 2004). These factors highlight why the negative
animal welfare implications associated with transportation and production
should be taken into account when making decisions surrounding human
health and meat quality.
In light of recent evidence and pressure from animal welfare lobbyist groups,
the European Parliament has moved to establish a formal inquiry into the
state of live animal transport across the European Union. The committee’s
goal is to determine whether the European Union has ignored and failed to
act on evidence of “serious and systematic” infringements to the EU
regulation on live animal transport (European Parliament, 2020; The