Animal welfare during transport: free moving animals

More space, lower temperatures, shorter journeys: these are some of the key recommendations to improve animal welfare during transport, included in five new scientific opinions by EFSA.

Temperature

Severe heat stress for animals starts at the upper critical temperature (UCT). To reduce this risk, the temperature inside vehicles should not exceed the UCT.

Space

Increased space in the vehicle is important to allow animals to adjust their posture in response to acceleration and other events during transport. For pigs, small ruminants, and bovines the minimum space allowance for an animal depends on the live weight.

Time

The amount of time the animals are exposed to hazards is dependent on the journey duration. Based on the scientific evidence on preventing stress, fear and distress in animals, journey duration should be kept to a minimum.

Recommended space and UCT temperature by animal

Cattle, sheep and pigs usually travel in groups. Horses usually travel in a single stall.

Cattle

• 25°C
• 1.84 m² per animal

Based on a 400 kg bovine.

Sheep

• 32°C
• 0.43 m² per animal

Based on a 40 kg sheep.

Pigs

• 25°C
• 0.62 m² per animal

Based on a 110 kg pig.

Horses

• 25°C
• 40 cm

Each horse needs 40 cm in excess of its width and 40 cm in excess of its length.