Welfare of small ruminants during transport

Abstract

In the framework of its Farm to Fork Strategy, the Commission is undertaking a comprehensive evaluation of animal welfare legislation. The present Opinion deals with the protection of small ruminants (sheep and goats) during transport. The main focus is on welfare of sheep during transport by road but other means of transport and concerns for welfare of goats during transport are also covered. Current practices related to transport of sheep during the different stages (preparation, loading and unloading, transit and journey breaks) are described. Overall, 11 welfare consequences were identified as being highly relevant for the welfare of sheep during transport based on severity, duration and frequency of occurrence: group stress, handling stress, heat stress, injuries, motion stress, predation stress, prolonged hunger, prolonged thirst, restriction of movement, resting problems and sensory overstimulation. These welfare consequences and their animal-based measures are described. A wide variety of hazards, mainly relating to inappropriate or aggressive handling of animals, structural deficiencies of vehicles and facilities, unfavourable microclimatic and environmental conditions and poor husbandry practices, leading to these welfare consequences were identified. The Opinion contains general and specific conclusions in relation to the different stages of transport. Recommendations to prevent hazards and to correct or mitigate welfare consequences have been developed. Recommendations were also developed to define quantitative thresholds for microclimatic conditions within the means of transport and spatial thresholds (minimum space allowance). The development of welfare consequences over time were assessed in relation to maximum journey time. The Opinion covers specific animal transport scenarios identified by the European Commission relating to the export of sheep by livestock vessels, export of sheep by road, roll-on-roll-off vessels and 'special health status animals', and lists welfare concerns associated with these.

Sheep fatigue during transport: Lost in translation?

“…Certain sources estimate that the majority of the approximately 85 million sheep kept in the EU (Eurostat 2019 ) will experience transport (Messori et al 2015a ). Since 2019, on average, around 3.5 million sheep per year were traded alive between EU countries (Nielsen et al 2022 ). The estimates set out in Nielsen et al ( 2022 ) exclude exports and imports from/into the EU which, taken together, are estimated to amount to an additional three million animals a year (ECA 2023 ) and are expected to continue to grow (Eurogroup for Animals 2019 ).…”

“…Since 2019, on average, around 3.5 million sheep per year were traded alive between EU countries (Nielsen et al 2022 ). The estimates set out in Nielsen et al ( 2022 ) exclude exports and imports from/into the EU which, taken together, are estimated to amount to an additional three million animals a year (ECA 2023 ) and are expected to continue to grow (Eurogroup for Animals 2019 ). Between October 2021 and April 2023, the EU exported over four million sheep to the Middle East and North Africa (Eurogroup for Animals & CWF 2023 ).…”

“…Despite significant and growing long-distance transport of millions of sheep each year, sheep fatigue does not receive much attention and remains poorly understood (Cockram et al 2012 ). Fatigue can be defined as “[w]eariness or exhaustion from … exertion or stress” (Merriam-Webster), “difficulty in initiating or sustaining voluntary activities” (Tanaka & Watanabe 2012 ; p 727), or “physiological state representing extreme tiredness and exhaustion” (Nielsen et al 2022 ; p 18). Although exhaustion has been used as a synonym of fatigue (as in the definition above), in the context of this project and during interviews (detailed below), exhaustion has been understood to be the advanced stage of fatigue, equivalent to severe fatigue.…”

“…To identify fatigue that has not yet become exhaustion, one is instructed to assess the animal’s “posture and resting behaviour” (Consortium of the Animal Transport Guides Project 2018 ; p 12). Issued in connection with the ongoing revision of Regulation 1/2005, the European Food Safety Authority [EFSA] Opinion (Nielsen et al 2022 ) explains that scientific research on fatigue is scarce. Click or tap here to enter text.…”

“…Article 28 specifies that transport for slaughter should be carried out only in short journeys (generally not exceeding 9 h; Article 3[12]). These changes, together with the increase in space allowance per the EFSA Opinion in Nielsen et al ( 2022 ) to allow rest on the vehicle (Preamble 30) and shortening of the overall permissible journey time (Article 27), may incrementally improve animals’ ability to rest and potentially decrease fatigue. Unfortunately, sea transport, which has been found to be fatiguing (Santurtun et al 2015 ; Navarro et al 2017 ), does not count toward journey time limits (Preamble 41).…”