Transportation of cattle by road - Effects of transport conditions on animal welfare and technical losses

Almost all adult cattle are transported at some time in their lives and the majority are transported by road. The latest EU regulations implemented in France as the Welfare of Animals (Transport) Order 1997, allow mature cattle to be transported by road for up to 29 hours, provided that they are given an one-hour rest with water, if necessary, feed, after the first 14 hours. The literature covering the transport of cattle is extensive and we try to present the state of knowledge with particular interest to the effects of transport conditions on animal welfare and economic losses. In order to illustrate this literature, we present the results we obtained with 140 young bulls and 180 steers transported during 29 hours in summer and in winter in 1999 and 2000. In recent years, research has attempted to identify situations in the transport chain (assembly, loading, confinement in a moving truck, unloading, penning in a new and unfamiliar environment) that are stressful to the cattle, and that lower carcass and meat quality. An objective measurement of transport stress may be attempted using behavioural, physiological and pathological indicators. Long journeys unavoidably involve the withdrawal of food and water for extended periods of time, leading to weight loss and dehydration. Mixing groups of unfamiliar animals leads to an increase in the number of social interactions which may lead to psychological stress and physical exhaustion. Loading, unloading and driving are particularly associated with physical damage and injury.