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Animal : an international journal of animal bioscience2012; 5(3); 415-427; doi: 10.1017/S1751731110001989

Road transport of farm animals: effects of journey duration on animal welfare.

Abstract: Transport of farm animals gives rise to concern about their welfare. Specific attention has been given to the duration of animal transport, and maximum journey durations are used in legislation that seek to minimise any negative impact of transport on animal welfare. This paper reviews the relatively few scientific investigations into effects of transport duration on animal welfare in cattle, sheep, horses, pigs and poultry. From the available literature, we attempt to distinguish between aspects, which will impair welfare on journeys of any duration, such as those associated with loading, and those aspects that may be exacerbated by journey time. We identify four aspects of animal transport, which have increasing impact on welfare as transport duration increases. These relate to (i) the physiological and clinical state of the animal before transport; and - during transport - to (ii) feeding and watering; (iii) rest and (iv) thermal environment. It is thus not journey duration per se but these associated negative aspects that are the cause of compromised welfare. We suggest that with a few exceptions, transport of long duration is possible in terms of animal welfare provided that these four issues can be dealt with for the species and the age group of the animals that are transported.
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Publication Date: 2012-03-27 PubMed ID: 22445408DOI: 10.1017/S1751731110001989Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research article focuses on the implications of the duration of transportation on farm animal welfare. It emphasizes the need to address certain factors such as pre-transport health conditions, feeding and watering, rest, and thermal environment to ensure animal welfare, even during long-journey transport.

Examining Factors Affecting Farm Animal Transport

This research study investigated the welfare of farm animals during transportation, particularly focusing on the duration of the journey. The researchers conducted a review of various scientific studies that explore the effects of transport duration on the welfare of various farm animals such as cattle, sheep, horses, pigs, and poultry.

  • The study primarily aims to distinguish between factors that would harm the animals’ welfare on any journey, such as loading problems, and those issues that could worsen over time during the journey.

Four Key Aspects Identified

The research identified four critical aspects of animal transport that could have progressively adverse effects on animal welfare as the duration of the transport increases.

  • The physiological and clinical state of the animal before transport: A compromised health status can make an animal more susceptible to stress and illness during transportation.
  • Feeding and watering during transport: Extended transport times potentially increase the risk of dehydration and hunger, negatively impacting the animals’ welfare.
  • Rest during transport: Lack of adequate rest over long journeys can cause fatigue and widen any existing health issues.
  • Thermal environment during transport: Extended journeys can expose animals to uncomfortable or harmful temperatures, depending upon the prevailing climatic conditions of the journey.

Implications and Suggestions

The article emphasizes that it isn’t the journey duration alone that affects the welfare of the transported animals but these associated negative aspects. The researchers suggest that, barring a few exceptions, long-duration transport of farm animals isn’t necessarily harmful to their welfare, provided the four mentioned issues are properly managed according to the species and age group of the animals being transported. This concept proposes a more nuanced approach to formulating legislation and protocols for animal transport, prioritising animal welfare.

Cite This Article

APA
Nielsen BL, Dybkjær L, Herskin MS. (2012). Road transport of farm animals: effects of journey duration on animal welfare. Animal, 5(3), 415-427. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1751731110001989

Publication

Animal : an international journal of animal bioscience
ISSN: 1751-732X
NlmUniqueID: 101303270
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 5
Issue: 3
Pages: 415-427

Researcher Affiliations

Nielsen, B L
  • Department of Animal Health and Bioscience, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Aarhus University, PO Box 50, DK-8830 Tjele, Denmark.
Dybkjær, L
    Herskin, M S

      Citations

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