Every year, billions of animals are transported over thousands of kilometres - by air, sea or land - to be slaughtered or fattened for slaughter. During these journeys, they suffer tremendously due to stress, exhaustion, over-heating and injuries. Even unweaned calves are transported from the age of 14 days on long journeys, suffering hunger, thirst and thermal stress which heavily impacts their weak immune system. Nor is any special care given to pregnant animals, who sometimes end up giving birth in terrible conditions on board vehicles or ships.

FOUR PAWS is working intensively to change existing legislation to put an end to cruel long-distance live animal transports to third countries.

• The maximum loading density is exceeded, which does not allow animals to rest in normal position
• Insufficient height inside vehicles, especially for cattle in double-decker trucks
• Maximum permitted transport time is often exceeded and mandatory resting stops do not take place
• Temperature limits inside the vehicle are exceeded (>30°C and <5°C)
• Unsuitable loading ramps, often too steep and slippery
• Lack of suitable equipment for feed and water, particularly during transport of young, unweaned animals
• Transport of animals that are unfit for travel due to sickness and/or broken limbs
• Transport of heavily pregnant animals
• On-vehicle fights between animals originating from different stables
• Rough handling of animals during loading and unloading, leading to intense stress, fear and serious physical injuries
• Poorly trained staff and badly paid drivers, leading to reckless driving
• Missing control posts and resting stations in third countries