September 12, 2022

EFSA advises ample space, shorter journey times to improve animal welfare during transport

Providing more space, lowering maximum temperatures and keeping journey times to a minimum are required to improve the welfare of farmed animals during transport, according to recommendations published by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

The scientific opinions cover small ruminants (sheep and goats), equids (horses and donkeys), bovines (cattle and calves), pigs and animals transported in containers, including domestic birds (chickens, laying hens and turkeys) and rabbits.

The EFSA also identified the various welfare consequences that animals may experience during different stages of transportation, the hazards potentially causing them and the animal-based measures by which they can be assessed.

Additionally, for all species, being fit for transport is of the utmost importance.

EFSA has developed quantitative thresholds for the temperatures that should be maintained in a vehicle as well as minimum space allowances for the animals.

- EFSA