Research for ANIT Committee: Particular welfare needs in animal transport: unweaned animals and pregnant females

Studie 20-05-2021

This study provides a technical overview and policy recommendations of the welfare need during transport of unweaned animals and pregnant females. During long journeys unweaned calves may experience negative welfare consequences such as prolonged hunger and thirst, resting problems, thermal stress and diseases. Further research is needed to develop appropriate methods to determine the gestational age during late pregnancy when the date of insemination or matting is unavailable, as well as to establish the gestational age at which females are at particular risk of suffering poor welfare during transport.