Guide to good practices for the transport of cattle.
Date: 2018-04-14
Institutions: Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety
Subjects: animal welfare, protection of animals, sheep, transport of animals, user guide, veterinary legislation

Guide to good 
practices for the 

Transport of Cattle 

May – 2018 

EN

EUROPEAN COMMISSION 

Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety 
Directorate G — Crisis Management in Food, Animals and Plants 
Unit G.2 — Animal Health and Welfare 

Contact: Denis Simonin 

E-mail:  SANTE-CONSULT-G2@ec.europa.eu 

European Commission 
B-1049 Brussels 

2 

Guide to good practices for the transport of the Cattle 

Guide to good 
practices for the  

Transport of Cattle 

                                          Director- General for Health and Food Safety 

         Common Financial Framework for the management of the expenditure in the food chain area 

2018 

EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union, 2018 

PDF 

ISBN:978-92-79-81050-3 

doi: 10.2875/861755 

EW-BI-18-005-EN-N 

© European Union, 2018 
Reproduction is authorised provided the source is acknowledged. 

May – 2018 

EN

Guide to good practices for the transport of the Cattle 

Acknowledgements 

Correspondence 
Any correspondence relating to this project should be sent by e-mail to: 
hans.spoolder@wur.nl 

Citation 
Please refer to this document as: Consortium of the Animal Transport Guides 
Project (2017-rev1 May 2018). ‘Guide to good practices for the transport of 
cattle’  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Contents

0.

INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................... 8

0.1 APPROACH AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ...................................................................... 8 

0.2 AIM OF THIS GUIDE ............................................................................................... 10 

0.3 MAIN WELFARE RISKS DURING CATTLE TRANSPORT .................................................. 11 

0.5 STRUCTURE OF THE GUIDE ..................................................................................... 14 

0.6 LIST OF DEFINITIONS ............................................................................................ 14 

1.

ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES ..................................................................................... 17

1.1 INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................... 17 

1.2 ADMINISTRATION .................................................................................................. 18 

1.3 COMPETENCE AND TRAINING .................................................................................. 19 

1.4 RESPONSIBILITIES ................................................................................................ 20 

2.

JOURNEY PLANNING AND PREPARATION ................................................................. 22

2.1 INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................... 22 

2.2 PLANNING THE JOURNEY ........................................................................................ 22 

2.2.1 Journey duration ......................................................................................... 23 
2.2.2 Contingency plans ....................................................................................... 24 

2.3 MEANS OF TRANSPORT .......................................................................................... 27 

2.3.1 Vehicle design and maintenance .................................................................... 29 
2.3.2 Space allowance .......................................................................................... 30 
2.3.3 Vehicle floor and bedding ............................................................................. 32 
2.3.4 Monitoring of transport environments during long journeys ............................... 33 

2.4 ANIMAL RELATED PREPARATION .............................................................................. 34 

2.4.1 Preparation of animals and equipment ........................................................... 35 
2.4.2 Fitness for travel ......................................................................................... 36 

3. 

HANDLING AND LOADING ..................................................................................... 40

3.1 INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................... 40 

3.2 LOADING FACILITIES ............................................................................................. 40 

3.3 HANDLING DURING LOADING ................................................................................. 42 

4.

TRAVELLING ....................................................................................................... 47

4.1 INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................... 47 

4.2 DRIVING ............................................................................................................... 47 

4.3 CLIMATE CONTROL ................................................................................................ 49 

4.4 WATER AND FEED INTERVALS ................................................................................. 51 

4.5 CARE OF SICK OR INJURED ANIMALS ....................................................................... 54 

4.6 EMERGENCIES ....................................................................................................... 55 

5.

UNLOADING ........................................................................................................ 57

5.1 INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................... 57 

Guide to good practices for the transport of the Cattle 

5.2 LAYOUT OF THE UNLOADING AREA .......................................................................... 57 

5.3 OPERATING PROCEDURE ........................................................................................ 59 

5.4 CARE OF ANIMALS AT UNLOADING .......................................................................... 60 

5.5 CLEANING AND DISINFECTION OF VEHICLES AFTER UNLOADING ................................ 60 

6.

STAY AT CONTROL POSTS, MARKETS AND ASSEMBLY CENTRES ................................ 62

6.1 INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................... 62 

6.2 HOUSING.............................................................................................................. 63 

6.3 FEEDING AND WATERING ....................................................................................... 65 

6.4 BIOSECURITY, CLEANING AND DISINFECTION .......................................................... 66 

6.5 EMERGENCY .......................................................................................................... 69 

REFERENCES .............................................................................................................. 70 

0. 

INTRODUCTION 

Since 1991, the EU has provided a common legal framework on animal transport which 
was  then  updated  by  Regulation  (EC)  1/2005  on  the  protection  of  animals  during 
transport,  hereafter  referred  to  as  ‘the  Regulation’.  It  came  into  effect  on  the  1st  of 
January  2007,  and  aims  to  provide  a  level  playing  field  for  operators  while  ensuring 
sufficient  protection  for  the  animals  being  transported.  The  content  and  impact  of  the 
Regulation has been the subject of a Scientific Opinion from the European Food Safety 
Authority (EFSA, 2011), followed in 2011 by an impact report from the Commission to 
the  European  Parliament  and  the  Council  (Anon.,  2011).  In  this  report,  three  key 
recommendations were formulated: 
1. 

The Regulation has had beneficial impact on the welfare of animals during transport, 
but there is room for improvement of the situation; 
An  amendment  of  the  Regulation  is  not  the  most  appropriate  approach  to 
address the identified problems;  
As  regards  the  gap  between  the  requirements  of  the  legislation  and  available 
scientific evidence the Commission sees that this is best addressed by the adoption 
of guides to good practice. 

2. 

3. 

The European Commission has welcomed the production of “clear and simple guidelines 
to assess the fitness for transport” prepared by stakeholder groups for bovines in 2012, 
and equidae and pigs in 2016. It was then considered important to extend this approach 
to address all aspects of the welfare of livestock during transportation. 

0.1 APPROACH AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS  

This  Guide  has  been  produced  within  the  framework  of  the  Animal  Transport  Guides 
project, commissioned by DG SANTE under contract SANCO/2015/G3/SI2.701422. The 
project  started  on  the  10th  of  May  2015,  and  its  main  aim  was  to  develop  and 
disseminate  good  and  better  practices  for  the  transportation  of  livestock.  The 
foundation for this Guide was laid in the first project year, through an extensive literature 
search  and  resulting  overview  of  a  substantial  number  of  available  practices.  These 
overviews of suggested practices can be found on the Animal Transport Guides website: 
http://animaltransportguides.eu/. There is one report for each  of  five  livestock species 
(pigs, poultry, horses, sheep and cattle). In the second year, these very broad and diverse 
lists  were  discussed  and  largely  rewritten,  to  develop  the  present  five  Guides  to  Good 
Practices. This involved an intensive process of stakeholder consultation.  

The first step in moving from the collection of practices to 
a  draft  Guide  of  Good  Practices  was  taken  at  member 
state level. Teams  consisting of academic partners from 
two countries per species (the ‘Duo Countries’) took the 
lead.  

(cid:1)  Sheep: Spain and Romania 
(cid:1)  Poultry: Greece and France 
(cid:1)  Pigs: Italy and France 
(cid:1)  Horses: Italy and the Netherlands 
(cid:1)  Cattle: United Kingdom and France 

The academic partners identified practices that are at the 
level  of  current  EU  legislation  (‘Good  Practices’)  and 

8 

 
  
Guide to good practices for the transport of the Cattle 

practices  that  are  aspiring  more  (‘Better  Practices  beyond  EU  legislation’,  or  simply 
‘Better Practices’). The partners then proceeded to ask national stakeholder groups in 
their  own  countries  to  reflect  on  these  suggestions  for  good  and  better  practices.  To 
support  this  process  and  work  towards  consensus,  an  iterative  Delphi  procedure  of 
anonymised input collection was used. Well over 100 stakeholders were involved in this 
step, representing a variety of backgrounds. The largest number of stakeholders indicated 
they  were  farmers  (19  individuals),  transporters  (27),  slaughterhouse  personnel  (13), 
NGOs (12) and competent authorities (27). Representatives from animal trade, academia 
and vehicle manufacturers also took part in this consultation process. All discussions were 
carried out in the national language of the member state involved. The final results of 
this  Delphi  procedure  were  five  “Draft  Guides  to  Good  Practice”.  These  were  not 
published, but used as the basis for the final Guides. 

The final Guides for each of the five livestock species were developed through a second 
round of consensus building at European level, with the help of ‘Focus Groups’. These 
focus  groups  had  an  international  basis:  the  delegates  were  asked  to  represent 
knowledge, experience and opinions beyond those of their own country. Table 0.1 below 
shows the composition of these five focus groups.  

Table 0.1 Composition of international Focus Groups, involved in the production of the 
final Guides to Good Practice. The numbers indicate the number of representatives per 
stakeholder category.  

Sheep 

Poultry 

Pigs 

Horses 

Cattle 

Total 

Farmers 

3 

5 

Vehicle 
manufacturers 

Animal traders 

1 

Transporters 

Slaughter-
houses 

Official 
veterinarians 

Animal 
scientists 

Animal  welfare 
organisations 

2 

2 

2 

3 

5 

2 

3 

3 

3 

2 

2 

1 

2 

2 

1 

3 

1 

2 

2 

4 

12 

2 

3 

13 

8 

7 

11 

16 

2 

5 

2 

2 

5 

Total 

10 

21 

12 

13 

16 

72 

A first series of meetings of the five focus groups was organised at the end of May 2016. 
During these meetings, the draft guides were presented by the academic partners. A road 
map  to  turn  the  draft  guides  into  the  current  final  versions  was  then  agreed  with  the 
stakeholders. All focus groups held subsequent meetings in Brussels, to discuss and reach 
consensus  on  the  wording  of  each  single  practice  to  be  included  in  the  final  Guides. 
Different species groups had different numbers of meetings, and the last ones were held 
in March 2017.  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
To  support and help guide the process of writing, the Animal Transport Guides project 
team set up a ‘Stakeholder Platform’. This group of people provided advice throughout 
the first two years of the project on how to tackle issues that affect all five species guides. 
The  Platform  was  composed  of  representatives  from  13  international  organisations  or 
stakeholder  groups:  the  International  Road  transport  Union  (IRU),  the  Federation  of 
Veterinarians  of  Europe  (FVE),  Eurogroup  for  Animals,  Copa-Cogeca,  Association  of 
Poultry Processors and Poultry Trade (AVEC), the German Breeders Organisation (ADT), 
Eyes on Animals, the Irish Ministry of Agriculture, vehicle manufacturer Pezzaioli, Union 
Européenne  du  Commerce  du  Bétail  et  des  Métiers  de  la  Viande    (UECBV),  European 
Forum of Farm Animal Breeders (EFFAB), the German Transporters Organisation (BDT), 
and  the  Greek  Ministry  of  Agriculture.  The  Platform  met  5  times  in  Brussels  over  two 
years.     

As part of the development of the five Guides, the 
species  Focus  Groups  and  the  Stakeholder 
Platform  choose  17  topic  areas  which  deserved 
extra attention. The practices in these areas were 
collected in 17 so called ‘Fact Sheets’, aiming to 
summarise and illustrate in an accessible way the 
most  critical  aspects  of  the  journey  or  the  most 
vulnerable  categories  of  animals.  Linked  to  the 
present  Cattle  protocol,  4  Fact  Sheets  were 
produced:  Transport  of  lactating  cows,  Long 
Distance  Transport,  Loading  and  Unloading 
and  Transport  of  Calves  These  four,  and  those 
related to the other Guides, are published in eight 
European languages.    

The  target  audience  for  the  fact  sheets  are  farmers,  drivers,  local  veterinarians  and 
abattoir  staff.  The  target  audience  for  the  Guides  to  Good  Practice  are  transport 
organisers, competent authorities and policy makers. The Guides and the Fact Sheets can 
all be found on the project’s website: http://animaltransportguides.eu/. 

The development of the Fact Sheets and the Guides would not have been possible without 
the  highly  constructive  discussions  at  national  and  international  level  with  the  many 
stakeholders mentioned above. Their help with this process was essential, and the 
authors are grateful for the time and knowledge they contributed to the writing 
of the Guides.  

0.2 AIM OF THIS GUIDE 

The present  Guide to Good Practice aims to improve the welfare  of  animals during 
transportation by providing practical tools to meet the requirements of the Regulation 
and to suggest practices which go beyond legislation.  

Transport is a stressful situation for animals. This guide lists practices that aim to support 
entrepreneurs in increasing the quality of the transport of animals in accordance with the 
Regulation, thus limiting stress to animals and promote animal welfare.  

10 

 
Guide to good practices for the transport of the Cattle 

The  practices  in  this  guide  are  based  on  scientific  knowledge,  scientific  literature, 
experiences and information from stakeholders. No distinction is made by source, unless 
this is regarded as relevant for better understanding or checking of the background. They 
can be used to develop company specific guidelines or Standard Operating Procedures for 
transporters and other stakeholders, or as a reference source for dealing with aspects of 
transportation in a way which is practical and that supports animal welfare.  

This  document  is  not  of  legally  binding  nature  and  does  not  affect  the 
requirements  of  the  EU  legislation  on  animal  transport  or  other  relevant  pieces  of 
legislation. Nor does it commit the European Commission. Only the Court of Justice of 
the European Union is competent to authoritatively interpret Union law. The reader is 
therefore invited to consult this guide in connection with the relevant provisions 
of the legislation and refer, when necessary, to the relevant competent authorities. 

0.3  MAIN  WELFARE  RISKS  DURING  CATTLE 
TRANSPORT 

Transport involves several potential stressors that can affect animal welfare negatively. 
The  new  and  unfamiliar  environment,  movement  restrictions  due  to  confinement, 
vibrations,  sudden  and  unusual  noises,  animal  fitness,  mixing  with  other  animals, 
temperature and humidity variations together with inadequate ventilation and often feed 
and water restrictions all have an impact on the animals’ state. The effects of all these 
factors on livestock are influenced by the experience and condition of the animals, the 
nature of the journey, and the duration of transport. Long journeys have been identified 
as  being  potentially  more  detrimental  to  the  general  welfare  status  of  the  animals, 
because of the longer duration of exposure to the stressors mentioned above. Therefore, 
it is clear that stressful journeys including hostile transport environments or conditions 
may  influence  animal  health  and  welfare  negatively.  This  has  an  impact  upon 
productivity and profitability through changes in animal body weight, hydration state 
and meat quality in slaughter animals.   

Poor  and  erratic  driving  may  impose  forces  in  the  animals  which  increase  the  risk  of 
impacts  and  injuries  and  through  postural  instability  will  predispose  animals  to  fatigue 
particularly on long journeys 4.2 Driving. 

Inadequate consideration of altering space allowance / head room in response to a range 
of factors may also pose risks 2.3.2 Space allowance. Weather and thermal conditions 
should be considered and space should be adjusted to minimise the risk of thermal stress 
2.3.4  Monitoring  of  transport  environments  during  long  journeys.  In  this  light, 
transportation of horned and pregnant animals also requires additional space above the 
minimum standards required under the Regulation. 

Transportation  of  young  calves  (particularly  on  long  journeys)  imposes  specific 
challenges. In particular feeding and watering in compliance with the Regulation is often 
very difficult to achieve as calves will not use the equipment provided. Calves can only 
be  successfully  fed  and  watered  (or  provided  with  milk/substitute/electrolytes)  after 
unloading and this should take place at a control post, market  or assembly centre 6.3 
Feeding and watering. This problem will impact upon journey times permitted (19 hours) 
under the Regulation as young calves have to be provided with feed/water after as little 
as 8-9 hours. 

 
 
 
 
 
Another important practical consideration and a significant 
risk  to  welfare  is  the  scheduling  of  milking  of  lactating 
cattle  when  transported.  It  is  essential  to  ensure  that 
facilities and personnel are available at the relevant times 
and  locations  during  a  properly  planned  journey  (e.g. 
immediately  upon  arrival  at  the  final  destination  or 
intermediate port) to avoid delays in milking 2.2 Planning 
the journey.  

Significant  stress  may  be  associated  with  loading  or  to  handling  prior  to  loading  3.3 
Handling  during  loading  also  considering  that  animals  may  have  undergone  periods  of 
water or feed deprivation prior to loading and transport.  Journey times are frequently 
extended due to traffic congestion and this may compound welfare impacts during times 
of extreme temperatures 2.2.2 Contingency plans. 

International and intra-community trade involving prolonged journeys, especially those 
requiring  movement  over  water  may  result  in  specific  additional  welfare  challenges  in 
conditions of transport (e.g. if by boat or, less commonly, air) and disease risk.  

Familiarity  of  cattle  within  a  group,  sympathetic  handling  at  loading  and  unloading, 
shorter  journey  times,  consideration  of  space  allowance  and  careful  driving  appear  to 
reduce  the  risk  of  poor  welfare  and  injury  during  transportation.  Transporting  horned 
animals increases the risk of injury to other stock being transported.  

The present guide has been structured to allow consideration of these points and issues 
and to address them in the context of the six recognised stages of the journey. 

12 

Guide to good practices for the transport of the Cattle 

0.4 Animal based measures 
The  ultimate  aim  of  providing  the  right  conditions  during  driving  should  be  to  provide 
good welfare, so that the animals are healthy and fit when they come off the truck 
at  the  destination.  The  current  legislation,  existing  guidelines  on  Fitness  to  Travel 
(Eurogroup  for  Animals  et  al.,  2012),  most  quality  assurance  schemes  and  also  the 
present guides offer many suggestions on what these conditions should be. They advise 
for  instance  on  space  allowances,  frequency  and  duration  of  resting  and  the  feed  and 
water  requirements  of  the  animals.  This  advice  is  based  on  years  of  experience  or 
thorough research which has identified the welfare risks associated with deviations from 
this advice: if space allowances are too low, animals may not get access to water, may 
get more easily injured, and may not be able to rest; if they do not rest enough, they will 
become exhausted, with detrimental effects for welfare and meat quality; etc.    

It is important to realise that recommendations based on ‘conditions’ (the resources on 
the  truck  or  the  handling  and  animal  management  by  operators)  do  not  necessarily 
guarantee  good  welfare:  they  merely  offer  advice  to  maximise  the  chance  that  the 
welfare of the animal will be good. The effect conditions have on the actual welfare status 
is influenced by other factors, as many of the (recommended) conditions are interacting 
with each other. Obvious examples are the interactive effects of a wet coat, and ambient 
temperature: if it is too hot then sprinkling may be desirable, but if it is freezing then you 
want to keep your animals dry. Another example is the relationship between the driving 
conditions and the length of the journey: following a rough journey, the benefits of resting 
the animals outside the vehicle outweigh the stress of offloading. However, if the journey 
has been smooth and on board conditions optimal, the benefits of offloading will be much 
lower and in some cases it may even be better to leave the animals on the truck. 

Given these limitations of management and resource related practices, it is obvious that 
animal based measures can be a useful monitoring tool to help business operators 
to ensure welfare and, if necessary, take the appropriate corrective actions. Animal based 
measures (ABMs), such as injuries, panting, shivering, body and skin conditions, can be 
interpreted  as  direct  indicators  of  animal  welfare.  The  use  of  ABMs  during  live  animal 
transport is not as novel and innovative as it may sound. Such indicators were included 
in tools for transporters for a long time and good professional drivers and keepers 
already base their actions on the ‘signals’ they get from the animals they work 
with. During routine checks they will not (just) look at the temperature gauge to see if 
ventilation is  adequate:  they  will look  at  the  animals  for  signs  of  panting  or  shivering. 
They don’t judge tiredness by the length of the journey, but by looking at animal posture 
and resting behaviour.  

Animal Based Measures can be of use before, during and after a journey (see Table 
0.2). They can be used during routine checks to assess how the transport is going, and 
if action is necessary to improve animal welfare. They can also be used after a journey, 
when  animals  are  unloaded,  to  know  how  the  animals  have  experienced  the 
transportation.  Knowing  this  will  help  the  transporter  (and  others  who  handle  the 
animals) to improve the conditions during the next journey with a different consignment.  

Table 0.2 To achieve the objective of ‘good’ transport regarding the welfare of bovines, 
the following ABMs could be used in monitoring tools.  

Parameter 
Dead on arrival 

Severe 
lameness 
non-
ambulatory 

or 

Description 
Animal that has stopped breathing and has no pulse (cardiac arrest) 
on arrival. 
An animal is considered severely lame when it shows inability to bear 
weight on one or more limbs while not lying.  
An  animal  is  considered  non-ambulatory  when  it  cannot  rise  or  is 
unable to stand unaided, but is still alive.  

 
 
Slipping 

Falling 

Shivering, 
panting 
sweating 

or 

Cleanliness 

Exhausted 

severe 

Other 
health 
problems 

Animal showing a loss of balance during loading/unloading without 
a non-limbic part of the body touching the ground. 
Animal showing a loss of balance during loading/unloading causing 
other part(s) of the body (beside legs) to touch the floor.  
Shivering is defined as the slow and irregular vibration of any body 
part, or the body as a whole (skin movements due to flies are not 
assessed  as  shivering!).  Panting  is  defined  as  breathing  in  short 
gasps  carried  out  with  the  mouth.  Animals  with  visible  signs  of 
sweating during the transport on their skin (wet animals, dried sweat 
spots, salt deposits) are counted as sweating animals. 
Cattle are considered dirty if ≥25% of the body surface is covered 
with dirt.  
Signs of severe fatigue or exhaustion are e.g. chin or limbs resting 
at partitions or troughs, closed eyes, high drive to rest in recumbent 
position. 
Any severe clinical health problem that is easy visible and may have 
been  initiated  or  impaired  by  transport  (management)  and  is  not 
already covered by the parameters above. 

0.5 STRUCTURE OF THE GUIDE 

Transport spans a chain of events from preparation to unloading. To facilitate the use 
of  the  guide  in  every  day  practice,  it  will  be  structured  according  to  six  stages  of  the 
journey: 

Administrative issues 
1. 
2. 
Preparation and planning 
3.  Handling and loading animals 
4. 
5. 
6.   Unloading animals 

Travelling 
Stay at control posts, markets and assembly centres 

Stages 2 – 6 follow transport activities in chronological order. The first ‘stage’ is added 
because administrative issues, including staff competence, training etc. are important for 
the execution of almost all activities during transport of animals. Each stage is subdivided 
into a number of aspects, and for each of them this guide presents ‘good practices’ as 
well as ‘better practices beyond EU legislation’. See below for definitions. 

The  practices  are  not  equally  important  in  terms  of  their  expected  impact  on  animal 
welfare. Therefore, this guide suggests topic areas which are very important, and areas 
which are relevant but less important. The very important topics will be ‘boxed’ throughout 
this guide. 

The digital version of this Guide includes words or references with so called ‘hyperlinks’. 
Clicking  on  these  links  (usually  with  ‘Control’  +  ’left  mouse  click’)  will  lead  to  another 
related  part  in  this  Guide,  or  to  background  information  in  documents  or  on  websites, 
providing of course the reader has internet access on his reading device.   

0.6 LIST OF DEFINITIONS  

For the purpose of this guide,  

14 

 
 
 
 
Guide to good practices for the transport of the Cattle 

o

o

‘Good practices’ are defined as: procedures and processes that ensure compliance 
with  requirements  of  legislation  or  regulations,  designed  to  protect  the  animals’ 
welfare.  
‘Better  practices  beyond  EU  legislation’  are  defined  as  providing  additional 
guidance on how procedures and operations can be improved to exceed any legally 
defined  minimum  welfare  requirement,  and  to  increase  the  welfare  status  of  the 
animals  during  the  relevant  periods  and  procedures.  They  will  be  abbreviated  to 
‘better practices’ throughout the document.  

In addition to the above operational definitions of good and better practices, the following 
is a list of terms used in this guide that may need a precise description to avoid confusion. 
Where appropriate, they have been taken from the Regulation (Table 0.3).   

Table 0.3 List of terms used in this guide 

Assembly centre 

Attendant 

Competent 
authority 

Control post 

Journey 

Keeper 

Long journey 

Navigation 
systems 

Official 
veterinarian 
Organiser 

Place of departure 

Places such as holdings, collection centres and markets, at which 
domestic Equidae or domestic animals of bovine, ovine, caprine 
or  porcine  species  originating  from  different  holdings  are 
grouped together to form consignments 
A  person  directly  in  charge  of  the  welfare  of  the  animals  who 
accompanies them during a journey 
The central authority of a Member State competent to carry out 
checks  on  animal  welfare  or  any  authority  to  which  it  has 
delegated that competence 
Places where animals are  rested for at least 12 hours  or more 
pursuant the rules for journey times and resting periods set up 
by  the  Regulation.  They  must  be  approved  by  the  competent 
authorities. 
The entire transport operation from the place of departure to the 
place  of  destination,  including  any  unloading,  accommodation 
and loading occurring at intermediate points in the journey 
Any natural or legal person, except a transporter, in charge of 
or handling animals whether on a permanent or temporary basis 
A  journey  that  exceeds  8  hours,  starting  from  when  the  first 
animal of the consignment is moved 
Satellite-based  infrastructures  providing  global,  continuous, 
accurate and guaranteed timing and positioning services or any 
technology  providing  services  deemed  equivalent  for  the 
purpose of this Regulation 
The  veterinarian  appointed  by  the  competent  authority  of  the 
Member State 
(i)  a  transporter  who  has  subcontracted  to  at  least  one  other 
transporter for a part of a journey; or 
(ii) a natural or legal person who has contracted to more than 
one transporter for a journey; or 
(iii) a person who has signed Section 1 of the journey log (when 
applicable) 
The place at which the animal is first loaded on to a means of 
transport provided that it had been accommodated there for at 
least 48 hours prior to the time of departure. 
However,  assembly  centres  approved  in  accordance  with 
Community veterinary legislation may be considered as place of 
departure  provided  certain  conditions  (see  Article  2  r  of  the 
Regulation). 

Place 
destination 

of 

Transporter 

Vehicle 

The  place  at  which  an  animal  is  unloaded  from  a  means  of 
transport and accommodated for at least 48 hours prior to the 
time of departure; or slaughtered 
Any  natural  or  legal  person  transporting  animals  on  his  own 
account, or for the account of a third party 
A  mean  of  transport  fitted  with  wheels  which  is  propelled  or 
towed 

16 

 
 
 
Guide to good practices for the transport of the Cattle 

1.   ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES 

1.1 INTRODUCTION  

A series of documents are required by the EU legislation to transport live animals 
which  must  accompany  the  consignments  and  might  be  required  at  all  time  by  the 
competent  authorities.  Having  properly  prepared  the  documents  required  will  prevent 
unnecessary delays and additional checks by the authorities. 

In addition, good record keeping is the cornerstone of quality monitoring: it contributes 
to  transparency  and  supports  quality  evaluation.  Records  can  be  used  to  highlight 
aspects  that  went  well  and  to  identify  weaknesses  that  need  to  be  addressed.  Such 
evaluations can be done at the level of a specific event such as a single journey, and also 
by aggregating data at the level of multiple transports. Record keeping is indispensable 
for maintaining and promoting adequate standards. 

It is important that data requested to be recorded are clear and understandable and 
easy and quick to log. They should be able to be assessed objectively, and be justified 
for and proportional to the intended goals, i.e. safeguarding the welfare of the transported 
animals.  Records  should  not  be  longer  than  necessary  and  what  is  “needed  to  know” 
should  prevail  over  what  is  “nice  to  know”.  Promoting  and  using  electronic  records 
facilitates  meeting  the  administrative  requirements.  Furthermore,  synergy  can  be 
obtained by linking animal welfare records with health and food safety records.  

Transporters  should  carry  the  appropriate  documentation  with  them  during  the 
journey.  They  are  likely  to  be  checked  for  these  papers  by  the  competent  authorities 
either  during  transport  or  at  any  transfer  or  arrival.  In  particular,  certificates  of 
competence must be held by drivers or attendants responsible for transporting domestic 
Equidae, domestic animals of bovine, ovine, caprine or porcine species and poultry over 
65 km. In the EU member states these are mainly independently assessed qualifications 
specific to the species and duration of journeys involved. 

As is indicated in the Regulation, professional drivers and attendants should achieve 
knowledge of the legislation in relation to the following topics:  

o 
o 
o 
o 
o 

o 

animal transport,  
animal physiology (in particular drinking and feeding needs) 
animal behaviour and the concept of stress,  
practical aspects of handling of animals,  
the impact of driving behaviour on the welfare of the transported animals and on 
the quality of meat,  
emergency  care  for  animals  and  safety  considerations  for  personnel  handling 
animals. 

Drivers  and  attendants  need  to  be  able  to  adequately  translate  this  knowledge  into 
practice. Insufficient knowledge of these issues is regarded as the main risk for impaired 
animal welfare during transport. 

The  competent  authorities  have  to  ensure  that  the  requirements  of  Annex  IV  of  the 
Regulation  have  been  included  in  a  theoretical  examination  of  applicants.  The 
content  and  duration  of  training  courses,  the  professional  qualifications  which  can  be 
taken into account, and the type of examination are the responsibility of each member 
state.  

 
 
 
 
1.2 Administration  

Good practices regarding Administration 
1. 

Everyone  transporting  animals  carries  documentation  on  the  means  of 
transport  stating  their  origin  and  their  ownership,  their  place  of  departure,  the 
date and time of departure, their intended place of destination, and the expected 
duration of the intended journey.  
Furthermore  the  following  document  might  be  necessary  to  accompany  the 
transport animals in the EU: 
o  An  transporter  authorisation  for  transports  exceeding  65  km  and  up  to  8 

2. 

hours (Type I) and over 8 hours (Type II), 

o  A certificate of approval for transport vehicles for over 8 hours,  
o  A  certification  of  competence  of  drivers  and  attendants  transporting 
domestic  Equidae,  or  domestic  animals  of  bovine,  ovine,  caprine  or  porcine 
species or poultry, 

o  A journey log for long journeys of domestic Equidae, or domestic animals of 

bovine, ovine, caprine or porcine species (not for poultry), 

o  Animal health certificates (where required e.g. trade between Member 

States or when exporting to non-EU countries)  
o  Food chain information regarding slaughter animals.  
The transporter shall submit the journey log to the competent authority before the 
journey commences and is held and fulfilled by the driver during the journey. 
Animal  health  certificate  and  journey  log  shall  be  submitted  via  the  electronic 
application TRACES. 

3. 

4. 

5.  On long journeys of domestic Equidae, or domestic animals of bovine, ovine, caprine 
or porcine species, transporters shall use a navigation system compliant with the 
current legislation. 

6.  Organisers archive all transport records, animal health certificates and journey logs 

of every transportation, for at least three years. 

Better practices regarding Administration 
7. 

8. 

9. 

10. 

Transport means provide information about the net usable surface area for each 
loading deck. 
The data of the journey log are presented in an electronic format to be transmitted 
to the competent authorities. 
The categories of animals within the species are indicated on top of the species 
(e.g. bulls, milking cows, calves). 
Journey information is transmissible in real time to the Trade Control and Expert 
System (TRACES). The journey information required relates to:  
o  Date and time of loading of the first animal of the consignment at the place 

of departure, 

o  Date and time of the unloading of the last animal of the consignment at the 

place of destination, 

o  Species and number of animals in the consignment, 
o  Species and number of animals injured and dead during the journey, 
o  Date and time of coupling and decoupling of the trailer and the equipment 

o 

should be mounted on the trailers and not on the pulling vehicle, 
Estimated total weight of the consignment at the place of departure or at the 
place of any loading of the consignment, 

18 

 
 
Guide to good practices for the transport of the Cattle 

o  Date, time and location of the places of rest or transfer. 

11.  Transport organisers keep transport contracts and journey logs in an archive for at 

least 5 years. 

1.3 Competence and training 

In general, only skilled workers can complete animal transportation with minimal impact 
on animal welfare. The skills required (’competence’), obtained through training and work 
experience in the animal transport chain, enable each operator: 
o 

To have the necessary knowledge about the impact of their work on animal stress, 
fear and related injuries, 
To know about the impact of their work on the quality of the meat of transported 
animals, 
To  recognise  the  main  physiological  signs  to  judge  the  state  of  the  animals 
before loading, during loading and transport phases and at unloading (e.g. posture, 
nervousness and stress, etc.), 
To  adapt  the  journey  to  specific  conditions  (variable  sensitivity  of  breeds 
transported  to  stress  and  mortality,  weather  conditions,  events  which  can  occur 
during the trip), 
To know the bio-security rules. 

o 

o 

o 

o 

Good practices regarding Competence and Training 

12.   Transport  operators  ensure that persons  who handle livestock have a basic but 
detailed understanding of animals' behaviour and physical needs. For an overview 
of  biological  needs  of  cattle  whilst  travelling  see  Chapter  2.4  Animal  related 
preparation. 

13.  Trainers impress upon keepers the potential effects of their actions upon animals 

in their charge. 

14.  Transport operators ensure that there is a commitment to proper handling from 

everyone, from the top down, involved with the livestock shipment. 

15.  Transport operators ensure compliance with the minimum legal training programme 
required for the Certificates of Competence in Europe according to the Regulation 
and national requirements if any. 

Better practices on Competence and Training 
16.  A Welfare Transport Officer in charge of the training, certificates and check of 

the quality of the transport is appointed in the transport company.  

17.  The  practical  abilities  of  the  transporter  are  recorded  and  controlled  (e.g. 

through audits and checks in the field). 

18.  Key parameters are identified and recorded to assess the quality of the transport 
(e.g. the incidence of mortality, injuries and any animal based measures of animal 
welfare). 

19.  Transport  companies  ensure  that  drivers  (and  keepers)  receive  continuous  and 

updated training.  

 
 
 
 
 
 
1.4 Responsibilities 

Good practices on Responsibilities 

20.  The keepers and attendants (including the owners and managers) of the animals 

are responsible for 
a)   the general health, overall welfare and fitness of the animals for the journey; 

these are assessed and recorded by regular routine inspection, 

b)   ensuring compliance with any required certification, either veterinary or other, 
c)   the presence of an animal keeper / attendant competent for the species 
being  transported  during  the  journey  and  with  the  authority  to  take  prompt 
action; in case  of transport by individual trucks, the truck driver may be the 
sole animal keeper during the journey, 

d)   the presence of an adequate number of animal keepers during loading, and 
e)   ensuring  that  equipment  and  veterinary  assistance  are  provided  as 

appropriate for the species and the journey. 

21.  Business agents or buying/selling agents are responsible for 

22. 

a)   selection of animals that are fit to travel, and 
b)   availability of suitable facilities at the start and at the end of the journey for 
the assembly, loading, transport, unloading and holding of animals, including 
for any stops at resting points during the journey and for emergencies. 
In addition animal keepers or attendants are responsible for the humane handling 
and  care  of  the  animals,  especially  during  loading  and  unloading,  and  for 
maintaining  a  record  of  journey  events  and  problems  and  the  completion  of  the 
journey  log  on  long  journeys.  To  carry  out  their  responsibilities,  they  have  the 
authority to take prompt action.  In the absence of a separate animal keeper, 
the driver is the animal keeper. 

23.  The ‘Organiser’ is responsible for planning the journey to ensure the care of the 
animals.  This  may  be  the  transporter,  the  vehicle  owner  and/or  the  driver.  In 
particular they are responsible for 
a)   choosing appropriate vehicles for the species transported and the journey, 
b)   ensuring  that  properly  trained  staff  are  available  for  loading/unloading  of 

animals, 

c)   ensuring adequate  competency  of the driver in matters  of animal welfare for 

the species being transported,  

d)   developing  and  keeping  up-to-date  contingency  plans  for  all  journey  types 
(even when not mandatory) to address emergencies (including adverse weather 
conditions),  

e)   producing a journey plan for all journeys (including where mandatory) which 
includes  a  loading  plan,  journey  duration,  itinerary  and  location  of  resting 
places, 

f)   loading  only  those  animals  which  are  fit  to  travel,  for  their  correct  loading 
into  the  vehicle  and  their  inspection  during  the  journey,  and  for  appropriate 
responses to problems arising (if fitness to travel is in doubt, the animal should 
be examined by a veterinarian who is then responsible for declaring any animals 
unfit to travel), 

g)   welfare of the animals during the actual transport, and  
h)   planning  the  journey,  which  should  take  into  account  any  disparity  in  the 
requirements  for  animal  journey  times  and  the  requirements  of  the  social 
regulations  relating  to  drivers’  hours,  including  the  numbers  of  drivers 
required  for  long  journeys  to  achieve  complete  compliance.  This  will  ensure 
compliance  with  both  sets  of  regulations.  This  may  relate  to  both  driver  and 

20 

 
Guide to good practices for the transport of the Cattle 

animal  rest  times  and  a  decision  on  the  number  of  drivers  required  for  long 
journeys. 

24.  Managers of facilities at the start and at the end of the journey and at resting 

points are responsible for 
a)   providing suitable premises for loading, unloading and securely holding the 
animals, with water and feed when required, and with protection from adverse 
weather conditions until further transport, sale or other use (including rearing 
or slaughter), 

b)   providing an adequate number of animal keepers to load, unload, drive and 

hold animals in a manner that causes minimum stress and injury, 

c)   minimising the opportunities for disease transmission by detailed attention 
to  vehicle  and  facility  cleaning,  disinfection,  hygiene  and  environmental 
control, as well as provision of clean bedding,  

d)   providing appropriate facilities to deal with emergencies, 
f)   providing facilities and competent staff to allow the humane killing of animals 

when required, and 

h)   ensuring proper rest times and minimal delay during stops. 

Better practices on Responsibilities 
25.  Ensure  there  are  clear  definitions  of  responsibilities  of  keepers,  attendants, 
traders, transport organisers, farmers, assembly centre managers, drivers, control 
post owners and slaughterers, and that they are listed in the transport contract and 
to provide a checklist accessible by all staff including the driver(s) or attendants. 

26.  Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are established for each activity/task by 
the  agent  defined  as  responsible.  These  describe  precise  protocols  for  feeding, 
watering, renewal and replacement of bedding, animal inspection and monitoring 
and  definition  of  those  individuals  responsible  for  each  task.  SOPs  are 
continuously updated in accordance with new advice and/or guidance. 

 
 
 
 
 
2.  JOURNEY PLANNING AND PREPARATION 

2.1 INTRODUCTION 

Good preparation and planning for the transport of cattle is one of the most important 
stages  of  the  journey.  It  is  the  key  to  successful  animal  transport  in  terms  of 
compliance  with  legislation,  best  practice  and  high  standards  of  animal  welfare  and 
economic  benefit.  Good  planning  promotes  smooth  execution  of  transport  and  is 
needed  to  minimize  the  risk  that  the  involvement  of  the  different  parties  is  poorly 
synchronised. The complexity of the overall animal transport process necessitates well-
structured  integration  of  each  of  the  activities  according  to  defined  sets  of  objectives, 
responsibilities  and  monitoring  tasks.  The  anticipation  of  unexpected  events  and 
problems  and  the  provision  of  contingency  plans  to  supplement  well  defined 
Standard Operating Procedures are paramount. Next to the immediate animal welfare 
concerns,  planning  should  include  animal  health  considerations  (biosecurity), 
human health and safety aspects and economic consequences. The importance of 
planning and preparation is also acknowledged by the  EU legislators,  and journey logs 
with a planning section are obligatory for long journeys. 

From an animal welfare point of view, the ‘preparation and planning’ stage includes the 
following aspects: 

o 
o 
o 
o 

Planning the journey 
Vehicle preparation  
Animal related preparation 
Administration 

2.2 PLANNING THE JOURNEY 

The  journey  shall  be  as  smooth  and  quick  as  possible  in  order  to  limit  exposure  to 
transport stress. It shall be planned carefully to assure cattle welfare conditions during 
the whole transportation. As part of the planning for each journey, arrangements shall 
be made to manage any delay, breakdown or other emergency to minimise risks of 
impaired welfare during all transport.  
The journey shall be planned and prepared carefully after the announcement by the 
farmer or trader of the date and the place of departure and the destination to the final 
client. Journey plans involve written arrangements regarding start and unloading places, 
contingency plans, and details on consignment sheets or arrangements that are in place 
for rest stops, particularly for long-distance journeys. 
In particular, they shall include: 
o 
o 
o 

description of the route of travel and estimation of its duration, 
analysis of weather forecast,  
choice of the transport company and of the truck (e.g. type I or II) and/or vessel 
depending  on  journey  duration  and  weather  conditions,  cattle  number  and 
categories, i.e. breeders animals, calves, cull animals, 
The reservation for unloading resting animals in a control posts when applicable, 
a contingency plan, 
planned number of drivers, 
provisions for bedding material, 

o 
o 
o 
o 

22 

 
Guide to good practices for the transport of the Cattle 

o 

o 

provisions for water and feed to be delivered at control post, depending on trip 
duration, 
assurances that the truck is ready at the place and time appointed for departure.    

Journey  routes  and  scheduling  of  stops  (including  control  posts  on  journeys  over  the 
maximum  duration)  are  optimised  using  the  appropriate  commercial  software  and 
systems. Besides the Regulation on the protection of animals during transport, drivers 
also have to comply with legislation regarding driver hours (Regulation (EC) 561/2006). 
During the planning phase of the transport these two legal requirements are both taken 
into account. Besides the timing of the rest periods also the location where the vehicle 
will stop is addressed in the planning phase, taking into account biosecurity. A summary 
of the maximum journey times allowed by the  Regulation is in the table below (Table 
2.1). 

Table 2.1 Maximum journey times allowed by the regulation. 

Basic Standard 
Vehicle 

Higher Standard Vehicle 

Cattle 

8 

29 (14-1-14) 
(when given liquid, and fed if necessary, every 
14 hours) 

Basic Standard 
Vehicle 

8 

Higher Standard Vehicle 

Travel 

9 

Rest 

1 

Travel 

9 

Unweaned  
calves 

The expected overall journey duration for the planned route is determined realistically, 
taking into account time needed for loading and unloading. If after this journey time the 
animals have not reached their destination, they must be unloaded, fed and watered and 
be rested for a minimum of 24 hours at an EU approved control post, see Chapter 6. Stay 
at control posts, markets and assembly centres. 

2.2.1 Journey duration 

The journey duration has to be estimated carefully and include the scheduled rests and 
stops at control posts. Taking the journey duration into consideration, the right type of 
vehicle and its equipment should be chosen. 

Good practices on the nature and duration of the journey 

123.  The  transport  organizer  shall  choose  the  transport  company  according  to  its 
authorization,  approval  of  means,  ability,  experience,  capacity  and  available 
attendants and drivers. 

124.  The transport organizer shall define accurately the journey duration in agreement 
with the transport company. This should include the route map, rest stops for the 
driver and stops in control posts during long journeys. He shall choose the route to 
minimise the total length of the journey. 

125.  Clear and effective communication between the transporter and the loading and 
unloading  locations  is  essential.  This  should  involve  phone  or  electronic 
communication  with  farms,  control  posts,  markets  and  slaughterhouses  during 
journey  planning  to  confirm  arrangements  and  requirements  and  between  the 
driver(s) and all other agents throughout the transport phase/journey. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
126.  For  journeys  where  animals  should  be  unloaded  at  a  control  post  the  competent 
authority demands proof of a reservation and proof of acceptance of the animals 
at a control posts en route which is mentioned in section 1 of the journey log. This 
procedure is a part of the checks carried out by the competent authority before long 
journeys. 

127.  Duration of the journey breaks should be long enough to check the animals for 
any signs of compromised health or welfare and to check feed and watering systems 
to ensure adequate supply is available. 

128.  Time  should  be  allowed  during  stops  to  treat  individual  animals  if  required 

following inspection.  

129.  The transporter should choose the vehicle according to the type and number of 
animals to be transported and to the journey duration (truck equipment according 
Type I or II authorization). 

Better Practices on the nature and duration of the journey 

130.  Schedule loading and transportation so that animals can be unloaded promptly at 

destination.  

131.  Ensure clear communication between drivers and personnel at the destination about 

responsibilities. 

132.  Attention should be paid to the impact of thermal conditions (heat and cold) and 
humidity on all journeys (long, standard or short). Appropriate strategies should 
be employed on all journey types to minimise the risk of thermal stress. 
o  Avoid travelling in the hotter parts of the day by planning the journey to take 

o 

advantage of cooler conditions at night  
Plan  short  and  long  journeys  to  avoid  known  delays  such  as  road  works  and 
diversions 

133.  The transport  organiser should ensure that all required paperwork (e.g. livestock 
manifests,  bills  of  lading,  emergency  contact  information)  is  completed  in 
compliance  with 
regulations  but  should  also  provide  all  completed 
documentation  in  a  timely manner  to  the  transporter  so  that  the  vehicle  can 
leave immediately after loading. 

2.2.2 Contingency plans 

The  main  goal  of  the  transporter  is  to  deliver  the  animals  timely  and  in  good  welfare 
conditions, despite risks of delay on the road. Emergencies may occur, even when optimal 
preparation and planning has taken place. The contingency plan aims at helping the 
driver and the transport company to ensure the security and the welfare of the 
animals in case of emergency. The Regulation mentions these as a requirement for 
long  journey  transporter  authorisation,  but  they  are  also  useful  for  short  journeys. 
Contingency plans are most useful when they are regularly trained and updated by the 
transporter.  They  should  address  4  questions:  what  potential  risks  may  cause  an 
emergency, what can be done when they occur, who is to do what and how will the 
mitigating actions be carried out. By being prepared, the transporter will be able to 
respond  in  an  effective  manner  and  reduce  the  impact  of  a  delay  or  accident  on  the 
animals. Figure 2.1 provides an example taken from the Practical Guidelines to Assess 
Fitness for Transport of Equidae (2016). 

24 

 
 
 
Guide to good practices for the transport of the Cattle 

Figure 2.1. The structure of an emergency plan (as presented in the Practical Guidelines 
to Assess Fitness for Transport of Equidae, 2016) 

Good practices regarding contingency plans 

134.  If  a  delay  occurs,  the  welfare  and  safety  of  the  animals  must  be  considered 
paramount  at  all  times.  It  is  the  driver’s  responsibility  to  keep  the  animals 
comfortable and safe and ensure the journey time is kept to a minimum.  

135.  The driver should make every reasonable effort to minimise the delay and ensure 
that water, shade on a hot day, and adequate ventilation are available.  

 
 
 
 
136.  If necessary, the driver should seek the help of the police to enable his journey 
to continue as soon as possible during long traffic hold-ups (i.e. if the road is closed 
due to an accident). 

137.  In  the  case  of  a  mechanical  breakdown  of  the  vehicle,  the  nature  of  the 
breakdown should be determined and it should be estimated how long the repairs 
will take. If the repairs cannot take place at the site of the breakdown or they will 
take an extended period of time, arrangements for another vehicle will have to 
be made. 

138.  A  contingency  plan  should  be  present  in  the  vehicle.  An  example  is  provided  in 
Figure  2.1.  The  plan  should  be  known  and  understood  by  everyone  involved  in 
animal  transport  during  any  journey.  It  needs  to  describe  how  to  handle 
unforeseeable incidents and delays to ensure the animals do not suffer significant 
harm.  Delays  can  be  caused  by  weather,  traffic  issues,  accidents,  road 
construction,  mechanical  breakdowns  or  plant  shutdowns.  The  contingency  plan 
must  amongst  other  things  include  the  provision  for  facilities  to  hold  animals  in 
emergencies.  

139.  In  case  of  emergencies  the  contingency  plan  is  activated  by  the  driver  and/or 

transporter, or whoever is first aware of the emergency. 
140.  The contingency plan should include the following elements: 

a) 

b) 

c) 

d) 

e) 
f) 

g) 

Solutions how a constant contact can be organised between the transporter 
and the driver/s,  
Solutions  how  a  contact  to  authorities  can  be  warranted  (police/ 
veterinarians),  
A list of contact-phone numbers of all parties involved, including the phone-
number of the insurance-company for the cattle, 
Solutions  how  local  breakdown  services  can  be  organised,  how  a  taking 
over of the shipment can be organised (substitutes),  
Solutions to arrange repairs in case of a damage to the vehicle, 
Solutions to unload animals in case of emergency or delay: places where 
animals can be unloaded are identified throughout the planned route, and 
this information is readily available to the driver. 
Solutions how water, food and bedding can be organised for animals in the 
case of unforeseeable long delays (e.g. at border crossings), 

h)  Other matters necessary to ensure the animals do not suffer significant harm 

as a result of delays during transport. 

141.  Animals  may  become  injured  during  transport  and  it  may  be  necessary  to 
humanely  kill  an  animal  before  it  reaches  its  destination  in  order  to  prevent  the 
animal  suffering  further  pain  or  distress.  Therefore  the  transporter  should  have 
readily available the contact details of a veterinarian or licensed slaughter man 
competent in humane killing at locations along the journey or at the destination.  

142.  Only drivers or attendants who have a certificate of competence and have received 
specific  training  in  the  field  of  animal  emergency  care,  may  attend  to  animals 
injured during transport.  

143.  For  unweaned  calves,  in  case  of  engine  failure,  organise  another  truck  for 

reloading. 

26 

 
 
 
 
 
Guide to good practices for the transport of the Cattle 

Better Practices regarding contingency procedures  

144.  A  contingency  plan  should  also  be  drawn  up  and  in  place  for  short  transports 

under 8 hours  

145.  In  order  to  be  properly  prepared  for  an  accident,  each  transport  vehicle  should 

contain the following: 
a) 

Emergency  contact  sheet  with  24-hour  phone  numbers  for  dispatch, 
destination  point  and  local  competent  authorities,  available  veterinary 
surgeons,  emergency  services,  emergency  plant  operators  and  insurance 
companies, 
Emergency  warning  devices  (e.g.  flares,  emergency  triangles)  consistent 
with European requirements. 
Camera / mobile phone camera 
Accident information sheet 
Company accident policy sheet/Standard Operating Procedures,  
Fire extinguisher 
Spill containment or cleaning kit 

b) 

c) 
d) 
e) 
f) 
g) 

146.  The  transporter  should  constantly  monitor  the  comfort  and  condition  of  the 
animals  during  any  delay.  For  calves  and  cows  to  slaughter,  during  any  delay  a 
driver  should  check  the  animals  he  can  see  for  signs  of  panting  and  take 
appropriate remedial actions. 

147.  The transporter, in the case of delay, should contact the origination and/or the 
destination  contact  persons  to  inform  them  of  the  nature  of  the  delay  and 
determine  the  best  plan  of  action  for  themselves  and  for  the  well-being  of  the 
animals. 

148.  Provision  for  convenient  and  simple  emergency  access  should  be  present  on 
vehicles to make it easier to inspect the cattle and provide assistance to animals in 
need.  

149.  Emergency  procedures  are  periodically  tested  and  discussed  with  personnel 

through internal audits, and amended as necessary 

150.  Equipment  kept  for  emergency  euthanasia  is  well  maintained  and  can  be 
operated efficiently; documented training and equipment maintenance records are 
kept. 

151.  Information  on  how  to  transport  animals  (incl.  issues  related  to  emergencies)  is 
shared  between  transporters,  and  what  works  or  does  not  work  is  evaluated 
regularly.  

152.  For unweaned calves at risk of heat stress in low humidity circumstances, water 

should be sprayed on the floor of the truck. 

153.  In case of engine failure when transporting unweaned calves there should be an 
emergency generator – so the fans can be kept running and the temperature, air 
flow and oxygen can be controlled. 

2.3 MEANS OF TRANSPORT 

Vehicle design, maintenance, preparation and operation are key factors in ensuring high 
standards  of  animal  health  and  welfare  during  transportation.  A  major  risk  to  animal 
welfare  is  presented  by  the  physical  environment  experienced  on  the  vehicle,  in 
particular related to the thermal environment. Therefore, it is vital to ensure that 
ventilation  regimes  are  effective  in  maintaining  internal  conditions  that  are  not  only 
compliant  with  legal  requirements  but  are  as  close  to  the  thermal  optimal  for  the 
animals  being  carried.  Adequate  and  appropriate  ventilation  systems  are  essential 

 
 
because  during  journeys  of  any  duration  weather  conditions  may  change  imposing 
varying  thermal  loads  upon  the  transported  animals.  Seasonal  differences  in  weather 
conditions will constitute also a risk in terms of thermal stress. Container roof design is 
also an important factor to be considered. 

On  long  journeys  on  which  animals  may  move  across  climatic  zones  the  risk  of 
thermal stress is increased. Mechanical ventilation should remove heat and moisture 
to provide an environment in which any risk of thermal stress is minimised. Design and 
operation  of  such  systems  should  be  based  upon  an  understanding  of  the  animals’ 
requirements  over  and  above  the  specifications  provided  in  current  legislation.  It  is 
essential to understand the principles of upper and lower critical temperatures and 
thermo-neutral  zones  to  ensure  effective  specification  of  ventilation  requirements  and 
operational strategies.  Further  factors including humidity and wetness of  coat can also 
influence the acceptable temperature range.  

Ventilation  systems  are  either  free  or  forced  systems.  Free  ventilation  systems  are 
common in vehicles used for short (less than 8 hours) journeys, whereas forced systems 
are a requirement for long journey vehicles. According to the Regulation, the minimum 
air flow rate of fans should not be lower than 60m3/h per 100 kg live weight. The efficacy 
of  forced  ventilation  systems  becomes  especially  important  with  regard  to  transports 
from Northern Europe to Mediterranean regions and their hot climates. For instance, 
frequent stops due to traffic or border controls in hot climates can lead to heating up 
the  vehicle  interiors  resulting  in  heat  stress  for  livestock.  Ventilation  is  also 
important in limiting the concentrations of ammonia from faeces and urine and of carbon 
dioxide from exhalations inside the vehicle.  

Overloading can increase the risk of bruising and therefore the risk of pain. Space 
allowance can also affect the behaviour of the animals, in particular, the preferred 
position  during  transport,  the  ability  of  lying  down  and  consequently  can  increase  the 
fatigue  of  the  animals.  On  the  other  side,  extended  space  allowance  can  induce 
more  falls.  Limited  access  to  resource  (water,  feed)  due  to  overstocking  or  poor 
design  of  the  equipment  can  increase  the  frustration  of  the  animals  and  the  thirst 
and hunger. The height above the head of the animals, if not appropriate, can prevent 
the correct ventilation inside the truck (thermal and climatic stress) and can increase 
the risk of stress, injuries and bruises (for instance, due to mounting behaviour).  

Poor  suspension  can  also  affect  animal  welfare.  Excessive  vibrations  can  lead  to 
symptoms ranging from nausea to muscular fatigue.  Non-slippery floor surfaces are 
essential for preventing falls. Bedding material can be of aid, although legally required 
only for calves younger than six months and on long journeys. Adequate bedding material 
should be dry with high ability to soak up fluids. Sufficient amounts of bedding allow for 
more comfort and facilitate the resting of animals. 

Scientists  recommend  that  besides  the  legally  required  parameters,  monitoring  of 
parameters such as relative humidity, vibration and total loaded weight could provide 
additional  information  for  assessing  welfare  during  transport.  However,  much  of  the 
equipment  (e.g.  that  for  measuring  relative  humidity)  is  still  not  sufficiently  robust  or 
accurate enough for routine application in commercial transport. The automatic control 
of mechanical ventilation by the monitored temperature of a control system is technically 
feasible and new evidence suggests that it would be beneficial in animal transport. 

Other risk factors related to vehicle design that can induce injuries are: 
o
o

insufficient width or height of the gate or container,
inadequate  structure  of  sides  (sharp  protrusions,  sharp  angles,  open  sides,  short
sides) in the gate,
inadequate lighting,

o

28 

Guide to good practices for the transport of the Cattle 

o 

inadequate floor condition like gaps and steps.  

All things being equal, the effect of the design and facilities of the transport vehicles will 
become  more  apparent  as  transport  distances  increase  and  weather  conditions  become 
more extreme, whether this is very cold or very hot weather. 

2.3.1 Vehicle design and maintenance 

Cattle comfort during transport is highly dependent on vehicle design and driving method 
as well as the quality of road being traversed.  

Good practices for vehicle design and maintenance 

154.  Mechanical  ventilation  systems  should  be  capable  of  keeping  livestock  in 
conditions as defined in the Regulation, taking into consideration the species, 
length  of  journey,  and  weather  conditions;  i.e.  the  vehicle  ventilation  must  be 
capable of achieving appropriate temperatures in the load when all the animals are 
present. Vehicle operators should ensure that this is possible by measurement of 
temperatures in transit and reference to records obtained on previous journeys. 

155.  Ventilation should be capable of being adjusted, or space allowances increased as 

required.  

156.  Special consideration should be given to multi-tiered lorries. Such vehicles should 
be suitably designed, maintained and managed so that animals are protected from 
the elements and animals on the upper tiers do not cause contamination of animals 
on the lower tiers. 

157.  Ventilating  surface  should  be  ≥  40%  of  the  total  area  of  the  container  sides  for 

naturally ventilated vehicles.  

158.  Aerodynamic air foils installed on truck tractors to enhance fuel efficiency must not 
restrict airflow into the trailer which is necessary for ventilation and cooling 
159.  Ventilation system of fully conditioned trucks should function while the truck is 

standing still when temp is over 30°C, for up to 4 hours. 

160.  All vehicles should be maintained, cleaned and disinfected immediately after 
every transport of animals or of any product that could affect animal health, and 
if  necessary  before  any  new  loading  of  animals,  using  disinfectants  officially 
authorised  by  the  competent  authority  and  cleaned  to  a  suitable  standard.  It  is 
unacceptable that a dirty lorry should cause contamination of a clean-coated animal. 
161.  Regarding  the  cleansing  and  disinfection  of  vehicles  a  logbook  should  be  kept 
detailing of when the vehicle was cleaned and what disinfectants were used. 
162.  Guardrails  across  the  vehicle  and  on  ventilation  apertures  should  ensure  that 

animals cannot escape, fall out or protrude from the vehicle. 

163.  Lighting must be provided on the livestock container that is sufficient to load 
and  unload  safely  and  allows  for  inspection  and  care  of  the  animals  during 
transportation. 

164.  There must be separate access to animals on each deck of the vehicle in order 
to be compliant with regulatory requirements. For better practice, access to each 
pen is proposed but there may be practical limitations.   

165.  Keep the suspensions well maintained since it will reduce vibration, reducing stress 

to the animals 

 
 
 
 
166.  Check  that  tyres  are  correctly  inflated  and  have  sufficient  depth  of  tread.  Avoid 

excessive pressure in tyres to reduce vibration. 

167.  The flooring surface should be a flat surface, without any concavities (for example 

from the wheels). 

168.  Internal ramps should have non slip flooring, lateral protection and be situated as 
such  to  guarantee  enough  space  for  the  animals  to  walk  up  or  down  without 
obstructions hindering free movement (for e.g. right angle). 

169.  Engine exhaust fumes should not enter the area occupied by the animals  
170.  A  system  should  be  fitted  that  allows  the  driver  to  monitor  continuously  the 
temperature  in  the  animal  compartment  as  required  in  the  provisions  of  the 
Regulation and which is mandatory for journeys >8 hours. The monitoring system 
should be clear and simple to operate and interpret and provide warning of major 
excursions outside the accepted thermal range for those animals.  

171.  For journey over 8 hours the ventilation capacity of mechanical systems should be 
at  least  60  m3/h/100  kg  of  live-weight  for  short  and  long  journeys.  Vehicle 
operators should ensure that this specification results in appropriate control of the 
on-board vehicle thermal micro-environment.  

Better practices on vehicle design and maintenance: 

172.  All tail boards must be fitted with foot battens. 
173.  Side doors for inspection of the animals should be fitted. 
174.  The  animals  can  be  observed  from  outside  the  vehicle  at  all  times,  either 

directly or using a camera system. 

175.  Mechanical ventilation to control the thermal micro-environment should be fitted on 
all  cattle  transport  vehicles  (not  only  higher  standard  vehicles)  and  therefore  be 
employed as required on all journeys regardless of planned journey time.   
176.  Daily check of functionality of ventilation, alarms and drinkers should be done 
177.  All cattle transport vehicles should be constructed with light coloured and insulated 
roofs  to  reduce  the  effects  of  solar  gain  (mandatory  for  vehicles  transporting 
animals on long journeys over 8 hours).  

178.  Anti-mounting rack should be used for the single deck transport of bulls. 
179.  For the transport of calves the deck should have a side protection in order to avoid 

the animals’ legs getting trapped between the deck and the side wall. 

180.  Drivers/transporters must have access to suitable wash out facilities identified 
and agreed before any journey is undertaken to cleanse and disinfect their livestock 
containers at the end of the journey.  

2.3.2 Space allowance 

The  amount  of  space  allowed  for  cattle  during  transport  is  one  of  the  most  important 
factors affecting animal welfare. Absolute minimum space allowances are determined by 
the physical dimensions of animals, but this in itself is not sufficient. Space requirements 
are  also  determined  by  the  ability  of  the  animals  to  thermo-regulate  effectively  and, 
ambient  conditions  such  as  temperature  and  humidity.  The  basis  for  the  Regulation’s 
requirements  regarding  road  transportation  are  space  allowances  (A)  for  cattle  which 
approximate the allometric equation A (m2) = 0.021*W0.67 (see Figure 2.2). This allows 
cattle reasonable space to balance and brace themselves against the motion of the vehicle 
and move within the vehicle. 

30 

 
 
 
 
Guide to good practices for the transport of the Cattle 

Space  allowance according to the weight of the bovines 

2

1.8

1.6

1.4

1.2

1

0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2

0

)
²

m

(
e
c
a
p
S

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

Weight (kg)

A (m²)=0,021 x W (Kg)0.67

Regulation 

(EC)  No 

Figure 2.2 Cattle space allowances during transport according to the allometric equation 
and the higher (green) and lower(red) allowances specified in the Regulation 

In figures, the Regulation specifies the space allowances that should be complied with as 
follows (Table 2.1):  

Categories 

Mean weight (kg) 

Small calves 
Medium sized calves 
Heavy calves 
Medium sized cattle 
Heavy cattle 
Very heavy cattle 

50 
110 
200 
325 
550 
>700 
Table 2.1 Space allowance for cattle according to the Regulation. 

Min.  surface  /  animal 
(m²) 
0.30 to 0.40 
0.40 to 0.70 
0.70 to 0.95 
0.95 to 1.30 
1.30 to 1.60 
>1.60 

Good practices regarding space allowance 

181.  Horned animals shall be loaded less densely (with an increase of at least +10% 

space), because horns and tips can cause bruises.  

182.  Animals  must  not  be  stocked  in  such  a  way  that  causes  injury  or  compromises 

animal welfare. 

183.  Determinations  of  space  allowance  should  not  be  based  on  body  weight  alone 
because animals vary in size and body shape. The animals should have sufficient 
space, so that they can turn around easily. 

184.  Partitions should be positioned to ensure optimum and practical recommended 
pen sizes. Pen size should be based on area rather than pen length, and calculation 
should  include  knowledge  of  trailer  width  and  total  internal  space/area  on  each 
trailer type 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
185.  Partitions must be solid and adequately in height for the species transported. There 
should  not  be  gaps  between  partition  and  the  floor,  or  the  side  walls  of  the 
truck.  Animals  often  get  stuck  with  their  legs  or  head  underneath  or  in  between 
these gaps. 

186.  Operators must ensure that there is adequate space above the animals in order that 
animals may adopt a natural standing position and that there is no hindrance of 
natural movement allowing optimum ventilation. 

Better Practices regarding space: 

187.  Manual  lifting  internal  ramps  must  not  be  included  as  available  space  when 

calculating available space. 

188.  Pregnant animals should be loaded less densely. They will require more room to 
get up if they go down, and have an increase of space of at least +10%. Note that 
it is not allowed to transport pregnant animals during their last 10 % of gestation. 
189.  Partitions should be sufficiently adjustable to accommodate changes in space 
allowance  in  accordance  with  the  effects  of  other  external  factors  such  as 
temperature and conformational differences in animals. 

190.  Transporters should ensure that pen size can easily be adjusted 
191.  At  least  20  cm  clearance  above  the  highest  point  of  the  back  of  the  tallest 

animal should be provided. 

192.  If hot weather conditions during the journey are expected:  

o 

Increase the headroom above the animals to maximise air movement and 
increase the potential for heat exchange, raising tiers and decks where possible 
but not sufficiently to encourage mounting.  

o  Avoid penning animals in the hotter parts of the vehicle, these are located 

at the front end and higher levels of the vehicle.  

2.3.3 Vehicle floor and bedding 

Good Practices regarding floor and bedding:  

193.  Anti-slip materials should be used. 
194.  Transporters must provide adequate bedding in the transport vehicle for calves, 
and for all cattle when transport is more than 8 hours. Adequate materials are straw 
for young cattle, straw for adult cattle in winter and straw or sawdust for adult cattle 
in summer.    

Better practices regarding floor and bedding: 

195.  Sufficient bedding should be provided during short journeys for all cattle, as bedding 
material can avoid injuries when animals fall down during transport. The quantity 
of straw bedding that should be added is at least 10kg per m2. Bedding should 
cover the entire surface of each floor level, tier or deck. Other material which may 
be used include sawdust and crushed straw pellets. 

196.  During hot weather, apply e.g. crushed straw pellets at a rate of 8-10kg per m2. 

32 

 
 
 
 
Guide to good practices for the transport of the Cattle 

2.3.4 
environments during long journeys 

Monitoring 

of 

transport 

Lack of ventilation is likely to cause increases in both temperature and humidity in the 
truck, with negative consequences such as weight loss, disease or even death.  It may 
also 
increase  ammonia  concentrations,  potentially  affecting  animal  respiration. 
Ventilation systems are especially relevant during hot weather, when cattle lower their 
body temperature by increasing respiratory rate. A proper ventilation system must have 
sufficiently large ventilation openings, traversing the whole length of the vehicle at the 
animal height. Inadequate ventilation during transport significantly increases mortality 

Good practices regarding monitoring of transport environment during long journeys 

101. If there is any risk of thermal stress in transit then drivers should allow in their 
journey plan an increased frequency of checking the animals for signs of panting, 
fatigue, shivering, huddling etc. This should be done at least during all mandatory 
stops  and  whenever  it  is  safe  and  convenient  to  make  additional  breaks  in  the 
journey. 

102.  The Regulation states that temperature sensors should be located in those parts 
of  the  vehicle  that  are  expected  to  experience  the  worst  (or  most  extreme) 
environmental  conditions.  Sensors  should  be  placed  close  to  air  inlets  and  outlets 
where  possible  and  in  the  upper  and  front  areas  of  decks  on  passively  ventilated 
vehicles.  They  must  therefore  be  of  a  robust  construction,  capable  of  tolerating  a 
harsh  environment  and  produce  readings  that  accurately  reflect  the  true  air 
temperature where they are located. 

103.  There should be at least two temperature sensors per level or per deck of the 

vehicle  

Better practices regarding monitoring of transport environment during long journeys 

104.  Transporters  should  install  monitoring  systems  which  are  not  just  compliant  with 
the legislation, but which have the flexibility to deliver additional functionalities 
such as relative humidity, vibration and total loaded weight. 

105.  Transporters should adopt a system that records and stores to the on-board unit 
information on all temperature readings taken from inside the animal compartment 
at regular intervals (e.g. every five minutes), which they can also transmit to the 
base station. 

106.  In most vehicles, the highest temperatures are likely to be experienced at the front 
of the animal compartment on the top tier; the lowest temperatures are likely to be 
encountered on the lowest tier at the rear. Thus a minimum of four temperature 
probes per deck is recommended. However, it may be advisable, for purposes of 
assessing animal welfare, to install more temperature sensors, especially where on-
board temperatures are likely to be less predictable or more variable.  

107.  Systems should be capable of isolating a particular area of the vehicle to avoid 
the receipt of negative readings where a given area of the vehicle, or deck, is not 
being used. They should also be portable if fitted to a vehicle with adjustable decks. 
Separate  sensors  are  required  for  all  separate  components  of  a  livestock  vehicle 
e.g. lorry plus trailer. 

 
 
 
108.  The  system  installed  must  provide  printouts  or  digital  displays  or  accessible 
electronic files of the temperature monitoring systems at any time during road side 
checks, so that the prints can be handed over to the inspection authorities on the 
spot. 

2.4 ANIMAL RELATED PREPARATION 

Preparing animals adequately and appropriately will minimise stress in transport and the 
impact of any stressors encountered during handling and transport. Several aspects of 
the  preparation  stage  are  related  to  the  animals  that  are  intended  to  be  transported. 
Adult  animals  and  young  stock  will  require  different  approaches.  These  situations  are 
addressed in the following sub-paragraphs. 

As described elsewhere cattle and calves should be familiarised with human contact and 
handling to diminish the impacts of driving and loading for transport. It is recognised that 
loading physically fit, healthy animals on the vehicle is an extremely important factor to 
maintain an adequate level of welfare during transport. Therefore, selection of animals 
for  transport  is  a  major  factor  in  assuring  animal  welfare.  Along  with  the 
Regulation, the OIE animal welfare guideline specifies criteria for unfit animals such as 
sick,  injured,  weak,  disabled  or  fatigued  animals  or  cows  in  an  advanced  state  of 
pregnancy  and  new-born  calves  with  unhealed  umbilical  cord.  Mixing  unfamiliar  cattle 
from  different  social  groups  before  or  during  transport  can  induce  a  significant  risk  of 
threatening  and  fighting  behaviour.  Before  transport  cattle  should  be  well  rested 
and fed with sufficient good quality feed. For adult cattle feed should be withdrawn 12 
hours  before  transportation  and  for  calves  6  hours  before  transport.  Water  should  be 
supplied until 4 hours prior to starting the journey.  

Special  attention  should  be  given  to  young  calves  receiving  milk  or  milk  substitutes 
which  may  be  provided  beyond  this  point.  Clearly  the  provision  of  food  and  water 
(liquid)  before  transport  is  essential  to  ensure  that  the  animals  do  not  experience 
energy  depletion  and  consequent  fatigue  and/or  dehydration  during  transportation. 
This must be considered even on long journeys (> 8 hours) on higher standard vehicles 
where  feed  and  water  will  be  available  in  transit.  If  animals  do  not  eat  or  drink 
sufficiently  during  journey  breaks  or  during  transportation  well  planned  pre-journey 
feed  and  water  will  minimise  the  risk  of  energy  and  water  depletion.  This  has  to  be 
balanced against the detrimental effects of overfeeding and watering prior to transport 
which can result in travel sickness, vomiting and diarrhoea. These conditions will impact 
animal welfare directly and will exacerbate the effects of others. 

Excessive  urination  and  diarrhoea  will  also  result  in  wetting  of  the  bedding  and  floor 
surfaces which, in turn, will cause slipping and falling in transit. Wet bedding will cause 
soiling and contamination of animal coats and hooves which should be avoided. The food 
(liquid)  provided  before  transport  should  be  that  to  which  the  animals  have  been 
accustomed and of the highest quality. For cattle that have been on pasture the switch 
to pre-journey concentrates should be treated with caution. When considering the supply 
of water prior to transport the animals’ standard daily requirements should be considered 
e.g. from 55 litres per day for a weaner calf to over 100 litres per day for an adult 
animal. Additionally, lactating animals drink more than non-lactating animals and water 
intake increases as environmental temperature increases.  

34 

 
 
Guide to good practices for the transport of the Cattle 

2.4.1  Preparation  of  animals  and 
equipment 

When  cattle are  removed from the box where they have  spent most  of their life to be 
loaded on a truck, they are likely to experience fear and distress. The corridor, the loading 
dock, the ramp and the truck compartment are unfamiliar environments. 

Good Practices on preparation of animals and equipment 

109.  Design appropriate loading ramps and bays and provide clear and  easy  access 
for the truck to the  loading quay depending on its type and  size (see  Figure 
2.2 below).  

110.  Check  before  (un)loading  the  maintenance  of  loading  quay  and  lairage 
pens (doors, light, ventilation, cleanliness and quality of the floor) to avoid the risk 
of slip, stumble and injuries for the animals. 

111.  Transporters  should  check  that  such  facilities  are  available  before  commencing 

loading or a journey. 

112.  Remember  that  for  lactating  cows  in  the  first  week  after  calving  transport  is 

prohibited. 

113.  If lactating cows are not accompanied by their calves they must be milked every 

12 hours. 

Figure 2.2 Example of adequate loading area dimensions.  

114.  If lactating cows are to be transported on long journeys make sure there are rest 

spots or control posts with milking facilities. 

115.  Provide  water  when  milking  and  make  sure  that  the  cows  can  eat  and  drink 

before you load them to resume the journey. 

116.  Always calmly unload the milking cows into the milking parlour of the rest or control 

post.  

Better Practices on preparation of animals and equipment 

117.  Sort and choose the cattle to be transported and communicate the relevant data 
to the transporter at least 1 week before the expected transport date (i.e. the exact 
number of animals; type, size and live weight of the animals at the starting point; 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
number of animals with minor injuries or anomalies to keep an eye on; numbers of 
animals that need specific treatment or facilities such as individual pens).  

118.  To avoid delay, select and identify animals by means of ear tags before the transport 

vehicle arrives. 

119.  To  reduce  loading  time  and  stress  during  loading  and  transport,  move  sorted 
animals into temporarily lairage pens next to the loading quay shortly before 
the arrival of the truck. 

120.  The  provision  of  stationary  as  well  as  portable  (and  adjustable)  loading 
ramps at farms, control posts and points of destination such as slaughterhouses 
will allow safe loading and unloading of livestock. 

121.  Provide access to cool drinking water in the lairage pens, using cleaned and easily 

cleanable facilities. 

2.4.2 Fitness for travel 

Welfare  risks  during  transport  are  greater  for  animals  which  are  injured  or  sick.  Weak 
animals  have  less  chance  to  move  away  from  aggression,  and  are  more  likely  to  lose 
balance  due  to  sudden  stop  or  acceleration  or  change  of  direction  of  the  vehicle.  It  is 
essential  that  all  animals  are  checked  before  loading  to  determine  fitness  for 
transportation. The check should include a thorough evaluation of animal based measures 
related to health and welfare status of the animals. This will reduce the risk that animals 
sent for transport may not survive the trip, or suffer serious welfare problems.  

Good practices regarding Fitness for travel 

122.  Key  recommendations  relating  to  the  fitness  for  travel  in  bovines  is  provided  in 
“Practical  guidelines  to  assess  fitness  for  transport  of  adult  bovines” 
(Eurogroup for Animals et al., 2015), and these should be followed (Figure 2.3). 

36 

 
 
Guide to good practices for the transport of the Cattle 

Figure 2.3 Cover page of Fitness of bovines for transport 

123.  Responsible persons shall examine the animals in good time prior to loading. The 

following criteria support fitness for transport: 
o  attentive, responsive animal, 
o  shiny and dry hide, well groomed,  
o  breathing normally, 
o  good body condition, 
o  distributes weight evenly on all four legs during standing and walking, straight 

back line, 

o  no obvious signs of pain.  

124.  Cattle in poor condition that should only be transported under close supervision 

are: 
o  indifferent to their surroundings (apathetic), and/ or 
o  have watery/ dull eyes, and/ or 
o  exhibit a sustained refusal to eat or drink, and/ or 
o  exhibit fever: body temperature > 39,5°C or hypothermia (< 37,5°C), and/ or 
o  have a significant increase in breathing frequency, significant panting or open-

mouth breathing, significant coughing, and/or  

o  have obvious signs of severe pain such as an arched back in combination with 
other signs, for example, shallow frequent breathing, abnormal posture or gait, 
heavy sweating without physical exercise or heat, extreme thinness. 

 
 
 
 
Such animals should be supervised by a trained attendant, a veterinary surgeon or 
appropriate groom and should be carried in individual stalls or pens with additional 
bedding as required and monitored at regular intervals. Whenever possible  
veterinary advice should be sought 

126.   Cattle in poor condition which should not be transported are: 

o  lying down and, unable to stand up or to remain standing up. 
o  unable to move without pain. Signs of pain during movement include: 

o  animal obviously lame or not distributing weight on all 4 legs evenly 

and/or 

o  arched back, and/or 
o  abnormal posture and/or 
o  abnormal gait and/or 
o  shallow frequent breathing 

o  unable to walk unassisted which means: 

o  They will not respond to strong pulling of a halter rope.  
o  They do not benefit from external support in order to keep posture, 

e.g. when an animal continues to lose balance.  

127.  Animals may not be transported if they are beyond 90% of expected gestation 

period or have given birth in the previous week   

. 

128.  Cows  exhibiting  physiological  weakness  should  receive  special  consideration  e.g. 
any  weakness  not  caused  by  injury  or  disease.  These  weaknesses,  (e.g.  fatigue, 
late  pregnancy  and  recent  calving),  may  lead  to  specific  conditions  that  are  not 
compatible with transport.  

125.  It  is  unacceptable  for  the  consignor  or  any  other  agent  to  exert  pressure  or 
influence upon a driver to carry animal which he or she suspects may be unfit. 
In the case of dispute veterinary advice must be sought.  

126.  Inspection  of  animals  at  and  before  departure  is  essential.  Therefore 
conditions  should  be  provided  to  allow  drivers  to  adequately  inspect  livestock  at 
loading. 

127.  Working conditions and practices should be established that do not pressurise an 

operator into carrying unfit stock. 

128.  Hauliers  must  obtain  a  copy  of  the  guidance  on  the  transport  of  casualty 
animals provided by their national Competent Authority and make this available to 
all drivers in addition to incorporating knowledge of this guidance in to the driver 
training.  

129.  This document on casualty animals must be kept with the vehicle and the haulier 
must be able to demonstrate access to the document during the inspection. 
130.  The  driver  shall  not  be  responsible  for  the  cleaning  or  clipping  of  animal  prior  to 
transport but this shall be undertaken by the owner or organisers’ personnel. 
131.  The area in which animal inspections are to be made at the point of departure should 
be well lit (particularly for night-time loading), should allow safe assembly of small 
groups to facilitate detailed inspection and should allow easy access to the animals. 
132.  Ensure  as  far  as  possible  that  animals  are  protected  from  adverse  weather 
conditions during loading. A wet coat serves to exacerbate contamination due to 
defaecation during transport. Wherever possible animals should be protected from 
rain or snow by a roof or temporary structure to maintain a dry coat during waiting 
or loading at the point of departure or during unloading or holding at the destination. 

38 

 
Guide to good practices for the transport of the Cattle 

Better Practices regarding Fitness for travel: 

133.  When transporting pregnant heifers confirmation of the date of insemination 
or  mating  should  be  obtained  to  ensure  that  the  stage  of  gestation  can  be 
ascertained. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
3.   HANDLING AND LOADING 

3.1 INTRODUCTION 

When  performing  loading,  it  is  of  particular  importance  to  take  into  account  the 
physiological and health status of the animal. Drivers and operators should be aware that 
some animals may suffer from transport conditions and should be handled accordingly in 
order to avoid any additional stress. 

Handlers  need  to  understand  cattle  behaviour  and  be  able  to  detect  signs  of 
unfit animals similar to those described for fitness to transport. Adapted operating 
procedure should be planned for such cases. 

Along  with  the  physiological  and  health  status  of  the  animal  and  inadequate  handling, 
risks of poor welfare at loading are mainly related to: 
o 

the  inadequate  design  of  driveway  and  gates  (in  particular  inadequate 
dimensions  and  shape,  presence  of  visual  obstacles)  that  could  cause  bruising, 
injuries, reluctance to move, 
slippery floor surfaces, including ramps, that will lead to similar adverse effects 
the presence of sharp edges that will cause injuries, 
the lighting environment (light contrasts) that may cause disorientation and fear 
unfamiliar or loud noises.   

o 
o 
o 
o 

As a result, loading is one of the most stressful phases of transport.  

Handling  quality  during  loading  and  unloading  of  cattle  has  a  major  impact  on  their 
welfare. Using good and better practices and proper equipment for handling at this stage 
are of utmost importance to reduce these negative effects. 

It is important to understand the potential effects that human interactions have on cattle 
and cattle behaviour. Quick handling may not be understood by cattle and may create 
fear and/or a negative  reaction to a keeper. Additionally, cattle that have had regular, 
positive interactions with people will typically be less fearful and easier to handle. It is 
more difficult to move stressed animals, because they may refuse to move on or try to 
escape from the corridors. It is then risky for the keeper if they turn back and run away.  

3.2 LOADING FACILITIES  

Poor design of loading and unloading facilities, combined with poor handling, may cause 
slipping,  falling,  bruises  and  eventually  injuries  and  more  stress  to  the  animals,  thus 
producing low meat quality and economic losses. A correct design of platforms and 
loading ramps will facilitate loading and unloading with minimum animal distress and 
bruising. 

40 

 
 
 
Guide to good practices for the transport of the Cattle 

Good practices regarding loading facilities 

134.  A loading area must be prepared in advance of the transport to guide cattle to the 

loading ramp of the truck. 

135.  The  loading  area  must  be  free  of  any  obstacle,  material  or  visual,  to  prevent 

injuries and stress to the cattle. 

136.  The pavement of the loading area should be plain and in good condition, and level 

with the loading ramp. 

137.  Bridges, ramps and gangways (that are not part of the vehicle) should have solid 
side walls to protect animals from falling and jumping. The height should be 1.7 
m for adult cattle. 

138.  If a ramp is used, the slope should be reduced as much as possible, and have a 
maximum angle of 26° for adult cattle (See Figure 3.1 with h=height: 50cm 
height/1m length), 20° for calves (36.4cm height/1m length). 

Figure 3.1 Aid for calculation of angle of the ramp (see text)  

139.  The floor should be skid-proof and its composition should ensure that faeces and 

urine have a limited effect on slipperiness. 

140.  Foot  battens  should  be  25  mm  high  and  20-35  cm  spaced  when  the  ramp 

slope is more than 10 degrees. 

141.  A suitable source of light must be present for loading and unloading procedures 
and orientated as to prevent dazzling or blinding of both the keeper and the cattle.  
142.  During  loading,  animals  should  move  from  a  darker  to  a  lighter  area,  avoiding 

contrast of light such as shadows. 

143.  Lighting  in  the  compartment  and  in  the  loading  area  must  be  able  to  operate 
throughout the duration of the whole loading stage with the truck engine off. 

Better practices regarding loading facilities 

144.  Where  appropriate,  the  loading  area  must  be  in  connection  with  the  usual 

raceway/corridors facilities, for more secure and easier handling.  

145.  The optimum loading angle for all animals is zero degrees, so various methods to 
maintain the angle as low as possible have to be adopted (reducing tyre pressure, 
higher loading platform, riser block, etc.). 

146.  Loading docks are recommended to minimize the ramp slope; they should be 

roofed and as wide as the truck ramp or lift, with solid walls/tail boards.  

147.  The  loading  area  should  be  covered  with  bedding  or  sand  to  fix  uneven  or 

damaged surfaces and prevent slipping or falling. 

148.  A passageway for humans should be present for more secure and easier handling 

of cattle. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
149.  The ramp should be covered with litter/straw to prevent slipping and to avoid glaring 

of metallic surfaces or materials. 

150.  The loading ramp should not sway while animals are moving on the ramp, the 
animals may refuse climbing up or down if the ramp sways, so the pavement should 
be stable and ramp has to be reinforced.  

151.  Traffic  areas  and  truck  paths  between  entrance  (of  farms,  assembly  centres, 
control posts, slaughterhouses), loading and unloading areas and parking must be 
planned according to the maximum size for trucks, trailer and semitrailers and to 
their radius of curvature (See examples of layout of the loading area on the Figure 
3.2).  

152.  The adequacy of loading area design and operation must be rigorously assessed in 
advance and due consideration of any issues that might influence ease of handling 
and loading should be included in estimation of loading time. 

Figure 3.2 Radius of curvature of various types of livestock trucks 

3.3 HANDLING DURING LOADING 

Loading  and  unloading  operations  should  be  performed  by  experienced  transporters, 
understanding  animal  behaviour  and  working  in  a  calm  way.  The  heart  rate  of 
cattle increases with increasing loading angles, therefore the steeper the ramp, the higher 
the  animals’  heart  rate,  which  is  a  sign  of  stress.  More  visible  indicators  of  stress  are 
changes  of  behaviour  such  as  vocalisation,  defecation,  urination,  refusing  to  move  to 
gate, slipping and running away. To understand how stress can be reduced, it is important 
to know how cattle perceive the world around them.  

The sense of hearing is well developed in cattle, which are also very sensitive to high 
pitch  sounds,  like  shouting,  metallic  sounds  and  whistling.  Cattle  have  wide-angle 
vision and they can see most of the area around themselves, but they have a blind spot 
located right behind them and another one below the head. If a keeper positions himself 
in that spot, the animals can get nervous as they cannot see what is happening. Keepers 
should  always  try  to  avoid  that  ‘blind  spot’  when  approaching  them  (Figure  3.3  and 
Figure 3.4). 

42 

 
 
 
Guide to good practices for the transport of the Cattle 

Figure  3.3  Illustration  of  cattle  field  of  vision.  Objects  in  the  green  area  are  well 
perceived. 

Binocular  vision  is  limited.  The  eye  structure  makes  them  highly  perceptive  of 
movements around them, but it offers low accuracy of distance and details. They need 
several minutes to accommodate to light changes and are more sensitive to bright light 
colours.  

People who are handling these and other grazing animals should also have knowledge 
of flight zone principles, and cattle sensory behaviour. A flight zone or safety zone is 
the space around an animal where the animal feels safe. If the animal turns away, it 
means that the keeper has entered the flight zone. The size of the flight zone depends 
on the tameness of the animal. The point of balance is usually at the animal’s shoulder. 
All  species  of  livestock  will  move  forward  if  the  keeper  stands  behind  the  point  of 
balance.  They  will  back  up  if  the  keeper  stands  in  front  of  the  point  of  balance.  An 
approximation of the flight zone can be made by approaching the animal and noting at 
what distance the animal moves away.  

Figure 3.4 Illustration of point of balance (see text for details) 

Good practices regarding handling of animals during loading  

153.  Cattle are social animals. They are less stressed when in the company of other 
cattle. So they need to be handled in groups to minimize stress and to facilitate and 
secure the handling. Adult cattle can be loaded and unloaded in groups following 
the leader. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
154.  It is important to respect group partition in the truck but, if necessary, groups 
can be divided for handling purposes. The recommended number of animals to be 
handled  together  differs  according  to  the  species:  it  takes  into  account  animal 
behaviour, but also handling security. 

155.  Heaviest  cattle  should  be  transported  on  the  lower  deck  to  keep  the  truck 
balance during driving. If the truck isn’t full, keep cattle on the lower deck and in 
the front compartment. 

156.  When  there  is  no  upper  deck,  equipment  can  be  installed  to  prevent mounting 

behaviour which can provoke stress, falling and injuries.   

157.  To  take  into  account  cattle  vision,  the  handler  should  position  him/herself  to  the 
side and behind the animals, so as to enter  slowly into the flight zone and make 
them move away calmly. 

158.  Solid  wall  corridors,  especially  if  curved,  are  recommended  to  improve 
movement because animals cannot see any obstacles and will keep moving forward 
159.  When animals are tied  to the  vehicle, their halter  should be made in such a way 
that the animal will not be injured and can drink and eat properly. Tied and untied 
animals or horned and dehorned cattle must not be mixed during transport. 
160.  Steps, interruptions (‘jumps’), shrinkage and bends at right angle should be avoided 

or limited. 

161.  Animals may be slowed by the presence of objects on the walls along the path 
(clothing, aprons and plastic bags), by grids of canals or water collection wells or 
floor textures of uneven colour. These should be avoided during loading. 

162.  Avoid light contrasts on loading ramp or let the animals some time to adapt to 
it.  Bedding  on  the  unloading  ramp  can  improve  the  unloading  when  sunlight  is 
reflecting.  

163.  Loading and unloading should not face the sunrise or sunset, because sunshine may 
obstruct  vision  of  the  animals  and  keepers.  Orientation  where  sunshine  will  not 
obstruct movement of animals and activities of keepers has to be chosen. Remove 
movement obstructing objects between loading ramp and loading/unloading area. 
164.  High  pitch  sounds,  like  shouting,  metallic  sounds  and  whistling  should  be 
avoided to minimize stress, except when it is necessary to make move an animal 
that is reluctant to move.  

165.  Cattle  are  sensitive  to  pain.  Any  hits  (stick)  should  be  avoided  except  if  it  is 

necessary to make one animal move forward when stopped. 

166.  Electric goads should not be used, except on adult bovines who refuse to move 
and when other tools/practices have not been successful, and only when the animal 
has a clear open way in front of it. 

167.  Handlers should wear protective clothing in dark colours and avoid bright colours as 

farmers usually wear dark clothes. 

44 

 
 
 
 
Guide to good practices for the transport of the Cattle 

Better practices regarding handling of animals during loading 

168.  Groups of animals should be kept stable and limited to 5-6 adult cattle or 10-

15 calves during loading (Figure 3.5) 

Figure 3.5 Calves should be in groups of max 10-15 individuals. 

169.  Do not recompose groups of cattle if possible to avoid stress and competition  
170.  Let the animals move to the loading ramp with their regular walking speed, higher 

speed will cause loss of balance, slipping and falling. 

171.  Jiggling chains, flapping plastic, or swinging ropes or other moving objects have to 

be removed. 

172.  The  flight  zone  of  animals  must  be  considered  during  loading,  taking  into 

account that it differs by farming method and individual reactivity. 

173.  Reduce  noise  to  a  minimum  level.  Yelling  or  shouting  during  loading  and 
unloading  has  to  be  avoided,  because  animals  react  to  loud  noises  and  become 
more agitated and difficult to handle. 

174.  If an animal stops and refuses to move on: 

o 

o 

First, calm down and let it calm down then check that it isn’t sick, wounded or unfit to 
be transported. If so, take the relevant procedure. 
Second, check for any obstacle in the way (visual or actual situation) and take it out if 
possible or change lighting if there is a contrast in light. If none of this is possible, then 
give the animal time to get used to the obstacle it must pass. 

Figure 3.6 Calves can be loaded with individual help. © IDELE 
175. Calves can be loaded with individual help (one hand before the head, the other hand 

on the back) to guide them on the ramp (Figure 3.6). 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
176.All  keepers  of  animals  should  consider  the  expected  behaviour  of  the  cattle 

(breed/age/condition) and the structure of the facilities, space and layout.  
177. Estimate the quality of loading (through self-monitoring) and keep track of it 
to better estimate loading time in each regular location (farms, assembly centres, 
…) taking into account loading facilities and cattle reactivity 

46 

Guide to good practices for the transport of the Cattle 

4.  TRAVELLING 

4.1 INTRODUCTION 

The longer the journey, the greater the risk that welfare is negatively affected. There 
are four main aspects of animal transport, which have increasing impact on welfare as 
duration  increases.  These  relate  to  the  physiological  state  of  the  animal,  feeding  and 
watering, rest and thermal environment. If animals are fit, properly prepared to travel 
and the journey has been planned well, they are likely to arrive at destination in a 
good welfare state and able to recover quickly after unloading and a relatively short 
time of rest. 

4.2 DRIVING 

Drivers  play  one  of  the  most  important  roles  in  livestock  transport.  Usually  they 
must take sole responsibility for the welfare of animals on the road. How drivers operate 
vehicles, how much time they spend checking on animal welfare, and how well they are 
prepared  to  deal  with  emergency  situations  greatly  influences  the  outcome  of  any 
livestock highway shipment.  

While standing in a moving vehicle, all livestock struggle to maintain their balance and to 
avoid contact with other animals. If smooth driving is not provided, they might fail in this 
effort. Moreover, rough driving impacts negatively upon animal welfare and will increase 
also  imposed  stress  and  the  risk  of  injuring  animals.  The  main  welfare  impairments 
related to driving quality include loss of balance. In cattle, this is a relevant stress factor 
related  to  transport  because  erratic  driving  obliges  them  to  make  continuous 
postural adjustment to maintain balance and to avoid falling.  

There  is  a  good  relationship  between  driving  skills,  the  amount  of  stress  on  livestock, 
and  also  the  profitability  of  the  transport  business.  Smooth,  consistent  driving  habits 
allow  the  animals  to  relax  more  during  a  journey  than  hard,  erratic  driving.  Scientific 
studies have shown that not only does a hard driving style increase measurable stress 
on the animals transported, but it also significantly decreases meat quality. It has been 
estimated that there is a difference of 20% in fuel efficiency between driving on a flat 
road at uneven speeds of up to 100km/h compared with a uniform, cruise controlled safe 
speed  of  80km/h.  If  you  encounter  a  slower  driver  on  a  road  with  no  passing 
opportunities, sit back and take a steady pace rather than hustling a situation you do not 
control.  

The  principles  of  road-holding  of  an  HGV  (Heavy  Goods  Vehicle)  and  the  ability  of  an 
animal to be sure-footed are the same. However, the driver has complete control over 
the vehicle, but only partial control over the animal. Drivers compensate for this partial 
lack  of  control  by  applying  knowledge  of  how  an  animal  will  behave  under  certain 
conditions. Transported animals have more pressure on their feet than the load on the 
vehicle tyres, and they will be working hard to stay on their feet. The more effort they 
are required to make, the greater the stress they will be under. For a loaded livestock 
vehicle with 18 wheels, the load on the tyres is 4.7kg per square centimetre on the tyres. 
A 600 kg cow has four feet in contact with the ground, and the load on the cow’s feet is 
12kg per square centimetre. 

 
 
 
 
Smooth braking helps to keep animals on their feet with a minimum of effort. Hard 
breaking results in more stress, which can lead to bad welfare, and in turn results in poor 
meat quality. 

Good Practices before and when driving 

178.  Drivers should recognise the difficult conditions under which they work. There are 
very  few  drivers  on  the  road  that  require  more  skills  than  those  who  transport 
livestock. Live animal transporters have a vehicle with a high centre of gravity, and 
a load which is alive and not tied down.  

179.  Avoid harsh breaking. 
180.  Try to use a constant throttle 
181.  Check that the brakes and braking systems are properly adjusted. 
182.  Use the engine break or retarder if fitted. 
183.  Fit automatic anti-lock breaking. 
184.  Although there are tight time schedules to keep, drivers should phone ahead if they 
encounter problems on the road instead of putting pressure on the livestock, the 
vehicle, and themselves. 

185.  Drivers  who  observe  the  following  procedures  will  help  assure  arrival  of  stock  in 

good condition:  
a) Start out slowly and avoid fast stops. Fast starts and stops, taking curves too 

fast, etc., will knock animals down.  

b) Keep loaded livestock vehicles moving, especially during hot weather. This 
will  maintain  a  constant  air  flow  that  will  help  keep  animals  cool  and  prevent 
build-up of gases from animal wastes. 

c)  Plan to make periodic stops during transport to check welfare of stock (Are 

there any downers? Do any appear ill? Are they too cold or overheated?).  

d) Make vehicle security inspections when checking animals during a stop. Make 
sure  load  partitions  are  in  place  and  secure,  trailer  doors  are  securely  closed, 
and bedding is sufficient.  

e)  Be prepared to make decisions or get instructions promptly about how to care 

for the animals depending on changing weather conditions. 

Better practices when driving 

186.  Drivers should try to minimise the time for which any trailer containing animals is 
left  unattended,  particularly  where  there  is  any  perceived  or  significant  risk  to 
animal welfare. 

187.  Drivers should avoid rush-hour traffic when possible.  
188.  Drivers  should  ensure  that  during  roadside  checks  they  obtain  priority  over 

other vehicles. Priority must be obtained in the interest of animal welfare. 

189.  Drivers should request priority in the case of delays caused by accidents.  
190.  There  should  be  routine  auditing  of  means  of  transport  and  practices  of 

the driver knows the emergency actions and has them available in his cab, 

transporters, addressing whether  
a) 
b)  the trailer is in good state (sides, flooring, ramps and gates), 
c) 
the driver leaves within 15 minutes after loading the animals,  
d)  the driver knows the plant requirement for boarding and bedding, 
e)  sufficient water is available for watering the animals,  
f) 

the driver has the ability to  adjust trailer ventilation during the journey if 
necessary,  

48 

 
 
Guide to good practices for the transport of the Cattle 

g)  the  behaviour  of  cattle  is  checked  during  the  resting  periods  (e.g. 

respiratory behaviour, sweating, etc.). 

4.3 CLIMATE CONTROL 

The  internal  thermal  microenvironment  on  vehicles  is  a  major  determinant  of  animal 
welfare and may pose a significant hazard in terms risk of heat or cold stress.  

Temperature and humidity are both important in relation to the risk of thermal stress. 
According to the Regulation, the acceptable temperature range for adult cattle is 5 
to 30°C, with a tolerance of 5°C. This effectively provides a range of 0 to 35°C. For 
lactating cows the acceptable range is 5˚C to 15˚C. Below 5˚C these cows need extra 
energy to stay warm. Over 21˚C lactating cows can start showing the first signs of heat 
stress, depending on the humidity of the air. Increased humidity will have a negative 
impact, see Figure 4.1.  

Figure  4.1  The  interactive  effects  of  humidity  and  actual  temperature  on  perceived 
temperature 

The external environment (the weather) will determine the properties of the ventilation 
air entering the vehicle. In addition, the thermal conditions on board are affected by the 
metabolic heat and moisture productions of the animals in the vehicle. Added heat and 
moisture will constitute an increased  risk of heat stress in warm weather but in colder 
conditions management of the available heat and moisture may be beneficial. The amount 
of heat and moisture inside the vehicle will therefore depend upon the external conditions 
and numbers, types and ages of the animals being transported and the rate of ventilation.  

Key  to  assessing  the  risk  of  thermal  stress  is  monitoring  the  internal  thermal 
environment on vehicles and the risk of thermal stress can be managed by appropriate 
ventilation  systems,  regimes  and  volume  flow  rates.  Thus  the  primary  risk  or  hazards 
associated  with  vehicle  environments  are  heat  stress  in  response  to  hot  weather 
conditions and inadequate ventilation and cold stress resulting from cold weather, over-

 
 
 
 
 
 
ventilation. Local convective cooling or excessive wetting of animals due to water ingress, 
rain or snow may induce cold stress. Thus it is clear that ventilation is the main method 
for removing heat and moisture generated inside the vehicle by animals during transport.  

It may be proposed that excessive heat is likely to be a greater problem for the 
animals than extreme cold. A proper ventilation system must have sufficiently large 
ventilation  openings,  traversing  the  whole  length  of  the  vehicle  at  the  animal  height. 
Inadequate  ventilation  during  transport  significantly  increases  mortality.  Drivers  must 
give consideration at all times to ventilation including when the vehicle is stationary and 
during statutory driver breaks. A steady supply of fresh air to all livestock on a vehicle is 
essential  to  support  normal  health,  and  to  remove  the  excess  moisture  and  heat  that 
comes  from  the  animals’  bodies.  There  is  always  a  requirement  for  a  minimum 
ventilation rate whatever the weather or animal conditions. The challenge for the 
transport sector is to provide adequate ventilation when a vehicle is stationary, and also 
when driving at 80 km/h on a cold morning.  

Good practices for climate control 

191.  When in motion, air tends to move from the back to the front of the vehicle. Active 
(mechanical) ventilation allows a greater opportunity to modify conditions around 
the  animals  than  passive  ventilation  -  especially  on  stationary  vehicles.  In  hot 
weather, avoid parking in direct sunlight for prolonged periods. If practical, 
park  passively  ventilated  vehicles  at  right  angles  to  the  wind  direction,  with 
sufficient apertures open, to optimise air movement through the container.  
192.  Sufficient ventilation must be available at all times while the animals are on 

a vehicle. 

193.  Never leave a trailer /semitrailer with animals on board back standing somewhere 

without working ventilation and an attendant nearby. 

194.  In high temperature conditions, it is recommended to minimize the number of 
stops.  Otherwise,  when  possible,  the  trailer  should  be  parked  in  an  area  that 
provides shade and allows for a breeze to pass through the sides of the trailer and 
the  loading  ramp  should  be  opened.  Do  not  park  near  other  vehicles  due  to  the 
potential for reduced air flow and increased risk of disease transfer 

195.  Weather  and  in  particular  temperature  conditions  should  be  considered  when 

making unscheduled stops or when parking the vehicle 

Better practices for climate control 

196.  Animal  behaviour  and  distribution  within  the  container  should  be 
monitored and any abnormal behaviour associated with inadequate ventilation is 
acted on and recorded. 

197.  Action is taken and documented if animals show signs of overexposure to noxious 
gases, such as watering eyes, nasal discharge and coughing, retching, ocular/vision 
disorders to remove animals from the situation or improve ventilation or otherwise 
lower levels of noxious gas. 

198.  The acceptable temperature range for adult cattle is 0 to 35°C, however as a Better 

Practice, temperature should be kept between 5 to 30°C. 

199.  For lactating cows the acceptable range is 5˚C to 15˚C. Above 21˚C lactating 

cows may show heat stress if humidity is high. This should be avoided. 

50 

 
 
 
 
Guide to good practices for the transport of the Cattle 

200.  In cold weather, remedial actions that should be applied when animals show signs 

of being too cold include: 
o  Reduce space allowance if animals have more than the minimum allowed (e.g. 

breeding animals), 

o  Provide additional bedding or insulation,  
o  Increase weather protection for animals on vehicles. Protect livestock from 
wind chill during cold weather by adjustment of flaps or windows and the use of 
protective sheeting with due consideration for overall ventilation requirements  

o  Wait for warmer temperatures, 
o  Restrict air movement through trucks by using side covers to partially block 
air movement through trailers. Be careful to maintain adequate ventilation. 
o  Keep animals as dry as possible. Shipment of wet animals may cause death 
from wind chill. Even the heavy coats of cattle will not protect them from wind 
chill when saturated. 

o  Protect  animals  from  prolonged  exposure  to  freezing  rain  and  sleet. 
Precipitation in this form can be deadly to animals. Even the thick coats of cattle 
will  not  protect  them  against  chilling  caused  by  saturation  of  freezing 
precipitation. 

o  Pre-warm vehicles by using heaters prior to loading, particularly for calves 
o  Prevent the freezing of drinkers and/or water lines by the use of heaters or 
the addition of mixtures (commercially available) such as glycerine and glucose 
to the water supply. 

201.  In hot weather, animals should be inspected at every opportunity for signs 
of heat stress. Remedial actions that should be applied when animals show signs 
of being too warm include: 

o  Increasing space allowance by at least 30% – a decision which must be made 
prior to actual loading commencing and with consideration of the higher risk of 
loss of balance,  

o  Provision of water or electrolyte solutions, 
o  Increase of ventilation,  
o  Use climate controlled vehicles,  
o  Delay the journey until there are cooler temperatures, e.g. at night, 
o  Provision of drinking water to animals as often as possible. 

4.4 WATER AND FEED INTERVALS 

Transportation of young calves (particularly on long journeys) imposes specific challenges 
regarding feeding and watering. Feeding and watering in compliance with the Regulation 
is  often  impossible  as  calves  will  not  use  the  equipment  provided.  Calves  can  only  be 
successfully  fed  and  watered  (or  provided  with  milk/substitute/electrolytes)  after 
unloading and this should take place at a control post, market or assembly centre. 

 
 
Figure  4.2  Adequate  feed  must 
be available 

Good Practices regarding feeding drinking and resting 
202.  Organisers  shall  ensure  that  adequate  feed  is  available  for  the  journey 
(requirements for journey over 8 hours), which may necessitate carrying up to 300-
400 kg of hay (Figure 4.2).  

203.  Wherever possible the keeper, farmer or consignor should provide feed that the 
animals  to  be  transported  have  previously  consumed  i.e.  the  keeper  shall 
provide  a  suitable  diet  for  those  animals  to  avoid  any  abrupt  changes  in 
composition. 

204.  The transporter should provide mature cattle a diet consisting of 2kg per 100 
kg  live-weight  of  good-quality  hay  where  necessary  during  rest  stops  and  at 
control  posts  on  long  journeys  over  8  hours  duration,  (or  when  possible  and 
depending on the maturity of the animals). 

205.  Transporters should avoid feeding green, succulent, concentrated, and high-
energy feeds. However, feeder cattle that are acclimated to high energy feed may 
stay on that diet. Green or succulent feeds will cause animals' manure to be wet. 
This may result in their soiling each other when they are in close proximity during 
transport.  Soiling  can  result  in  excessive  wind  chill  during  cold  weather. 
Concentrated  feeds  and  high-energy  feeds  may  cause  mature  cattle  to  have 
digestive problems. 

206.  The transporter should provide feeder calves a grain-based concentrate feed 
at  rest  stops.  However,  abrupt  changes  in  their  diet  may  cause  them  to  become 
sick. So if calves are accustomed to eating hay, it should be included in their diet. 

207. Drinkers must be designed, allocated and positioned to allow access by the animals 
as required on journeys over 8 hours. Drinkers should be of a design that animals 
are familiar with, and positioned in such a way that they allow for a normal drinking 
posture. Additional drinking provided by buckets or troughs  carried on the vehicle 
are recommended 

208. Each compartment or pen on the vehicle should be provided with 2 drinkers 
209.  Drinkers  and  supply  lines  should  be  designed  and  maintained  to  avoid  leakage, 

spillage and contamination. 

210.  Drinkers and water supply lines should be regularly inspected and checked  
211.  The watering system must be effective and well maintained at all times. Adult 
cattle or calves should be familiar with the drinker systems employed e.g. systems 
for feeding calves may be fitted with rubber teats to supply cool or warm milk, milk 
replacer or electrolyte solutions  (see Figure 4.3). 

52 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Guide to good practices for the transport of the Cattle 

Figure 4.3 Make sure that the drinking system is clean, well-maintained and functioning. 
© Dr Rabitsch 

212. 

Vehicle water storage capacity / provision of water (on higher standard vehicles 
for  journeys  >  8  hours)  should  be  based  on  the  known  requirements 
according to age and type (production stage). 

213.  Drinker  systems  should  be  checked  at  every  stop  and  filled  (topped  up) 

with fresh drinking water whenever this is available. 

214.  Cattle should have access to water up to the time of departure, but should 
not be allowed to drink excessively. Cattle that consume large amounts of water 
tend to become ill during transport. 

216. 

215.  Water supply should be checked at least daily, and at least twice daily in hot or 
very cold weather, to ensure that the requirements of the animals are being met 
Flow rates for all watering devices (e.g. nipples, bowls, troughs) should be 
monitored to ensure that all animals have access to adequate quantities of water 
217.  Drinkers  or  water  lines  must  not  leak  or  spill  to  avoid  deterioration  of 
bedding,  wetting  of  animals  and  elevations  of  humidity,  all  of  which  may 
compromise the health and welfare of the animals.  
Transporters should provide livestock with good-quality, clean water at rest 
stops. High salinity will cause animals to drink more, possibly resulting in excess 
consumption. Water with a too low or too high pH can cause digestive upsets. 
Water containing algae should never be given to cattle. Some species of algae 
are toxic. Some animals may shy away from chlorinated water. 
The drivers should carefully follow instructions for use of any chemicals that are 
added to water for purification. 

218. 

219. 

Better Practices regarding feeding drinking and resting 

220. 

221. 

222. 

The provision of liquid feed to  calves in transit is considered to be impractical 
with  current  truck  design.  After  9  h  of  transport,  un-weaned  calves  must  be 
given a rest period of at least 1 h so that they can be given liquid and/or 
fed (milk). This normally requires unloading of the animals (e.g. at a control 
post). Milk or other suitable liquid feed should be given by means of a system 
with rubber teats.  Calves  should be fed individually and then be rested for an 
appropriate duration before travelling again. 
An even better practice is to only transport calves older than 8 weeks, when 
they can be / are weaned.  
Transporters  should  water  the  animals  manually  during  hot  weather  and 
especially during delays. This is the only guarantee that all the animals receive 
enough water. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4.5 CARE OF SICK OR INJURED ANIMALS 

Sick or injured animals in the context of transportation fall in to 3 categories.  
a) 
b) 
c) 

Animals identified as sick or injured at the point of departure, 
Animal that are identified as sick or injured during a journey, 
Animals  that  are  identified  as  sick  or  injured  at  the  point  of  destination  or 
control posts. 

Individual animals may fall into more than one of these groups. However, if animals are 
identified as sick or injured during a pre-journey inspection at their origin they should be 
deemed  as  not  fit  for  transport  and  should  not  be  loaded.  (see  also  2.4.2  Fitness  for 
travel). Animals identified as sick or injured at the end of the journey will be dealt with 
by the appropriate authority at the destination e.g. the veterinarian at a slaughterhouse 
or control post. 

Only  animals  that  are  identified  as  sick  or  injured  during  a  journey  will  be 
addressed  here.  These  animals  may  be  identified  during  routine  journey  breaks  or 
specific inspection stops (e.g. additional stops during hot weather), and will probably fall 
into one or more of these categories: 
o 

Animals that have fallen or been trampled or injured e.g. as a result of aggression 
and have a clear lesion or fracture, 
Animals that exhibit an injury such as a hernia or prolapse or dislocation, 
Animals  that  are  exhibiting  the  symptoms  of  heat  or  cold  stress  and/or 
dehydration, 
Animals that appear to have developed symptoms of a disease or infection, 
Cows that have an abortion or give birth during journey.  

o 
o 

o 
o 

These animals should be assessed and decisions made immediately regarding remedial 
actions or treatments.  

Good practice regarding care of sick or injured animals during the journey 

225. 

223.  Check for any sick, distressed or injured animals regularly during the journey 
224. 
Provide food if animals are exhibiting signs of hunger and fatigue (on prolonged 
journeys or where cold stress may have imposed metabolic stress).  
If any illness or injury is identified during the journey the driver should contact 
the  transporter,  the  destination  or  control  post  or  emergency  abattoirs  / 
slaughter plants, (where available) and (local) competent authority and discuss 
obtaining the necessary veterinary advice and support either during the journey 
or upon arrival.  

226.  Separate  and  treat  sick  animals  if  necessary  and  possible,  and/or  seek 
veterinary aid or arrange to stop at an emergency plant (if available) to ensure 
appropriate assessment of the animal’s condition may be completed. 
Animals unable to move should be killed on the vehicle. 

227. 

Best practice regarding care of sick or injured animals during the journey 

228. 

The driver has a contingency list on board which includes contact details of all 
control posts, staging points, assembly centres, other care and supply stations, 
livestock dealers, abattoirs, competent authorities, along the whole itinerary. 

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Guide to good practices for the transport of the Cattle 

4.6 EMERGENCIES 

Better practices during emergencies 

Emergency situations are by definition unexpected and require immediate action. It is 
important that drivers or other persons in charge have a plan on what to do, should 
an  emergency  situation  take  place.  The  plan  should  include  a  series  of  emergency 
telephone numbers, e.g. to obtain veterinary assistance. 

229. 

In  case  of  a  mechanical  breakdown  of  the  tractor,  the  nature  of  the 
breakdown should be determined and it should be estimated how long the repairs 
will  take.  If  the  repairs  cannot  take  place  at  the  site  of  the  breakdown  or 
they will take an extended period of time, arrangements for another tractor 
will  have  to  be  made.  Numerous  factors  need  to  be  taken  into  consideration 
when determining how long animals can safely be left on a stationary trailer: 
o  Weather – (e.g. cattle will do fine on a trailer for four hours in cool, low humidity 
weather. In extreme summer heat and humidity, they will experience heat stress 
quite quickly),  

o  Fitness of the animals, 
o  Age of animals, 
o  Time since last feeding and drinking,  
o  Location of the delay (e.g. rural area vs. freeway), 
o  Time of day, 
o  Safety of animals at current location. 

230. 

In the event of an accident, the driver should: 

a. Call the national road emergency number if the accident occurs on a public 
roadway  or  if  the  emergency  assistance  is  required  for  an  on-farm  accident. 
Advise operator of: 
o  The location of the accident, 
o  The fact that you have animals on-board, 
o  The status of any loose animals, 
o  Any known hazards. 

b. Set out emergency warning devices within 10 minutes of accident. 
c. Call the designated company contact. If the company has a dispatch checklist 
for accidents, proceed through list. If not, inform the dispatcher of the location 
of the accident, if there are any injuries, condition of animals, position of trailer, 
number of vehicles involved and if first responders are on scene yet. 

d.  Call  other  designated  contacts  according  to  company  protocol.  These  could 
include  but  are  not  limited  to  the  insurance  companies  for  the  cargo  and  the 
vehicle and the destination, and provide them with the same information.  

e. If the tractor and/or trailer are damaged and unable to move, proceed to point 

g. 

f. If damage is minor, the trailer is upright and there are no injuries, take photos 

and record names and addresses of other people involved and witnesses. 

g.  Herd  any  loose  animals  from  the  road  and  gather  them  in  an  area  as  far 

away from traffic as possible. 

h. Locate accident reporting kit and camera. Take photos of accident as soon 
as  possible.  Photographs  should  include  photos  of  road  conditions,  vehicle 
damage,  trailer  position,  the  overall  accident  scene,  skid  marks,  curves, 
intersections and where the vehicle left the road (if it did). 

 
 
 
i.  Provide as much protection and comfort for the animals as possible. 
j.  When  first  responders  arrive,  the  transporter  should  advise  them  of  accident 
details including any human injuries, the status of any loose animals, any known 
hazards  and  the  company’s  emergency  response  plan.  If  available,  the 
transporter should let the authorities know if a company rescue trailer and animal 
handling  personnel  are  on  the  way  and  their  estimated  time  of  arrival. 
Transporters must respect the chain of command at all times. 

k. Animals that have become injured during transport should be humanely killed 
to  prevent  further  pain  or  distress.  This  is  particularly  true  where  there  is 
likely to be an unacceptable delay in treating the source of pain, where the pain 
is  untreatable,  or  where  transportation  of  the  animal  would  aggravate  the 
condition  to  a  significant  extent.  A  veterinarian  should  be  called  to  make  the 
decision and to kill the animal humanely. 

56 

 
 
 
Guide to good practices for the transport of the Cattle 

5.  UNLOADING 

5.1 INTRODUCTION 

Upon arrival at the final destination or control post the  animals should unloaded as 
soon  as  possible.  Unloading  is  part  of  the  journey  and  the  journey  is  only  complete 
when  the  last  animal  has  been  unloaded  at  the  final  destination.  It  is  important  to 
optimise the ease and efficiency of unloading to ensure that undue delay is avoided and 
that  animals  do  not  remain  on  the  vehicle  for  longer  than  is  necessary.  Background 
information on bovine responses to handling can be found in 3.3 Handling during loading.   

Poor design of loading and unloading facilities, combined with poor handling, may cause 
slipping,  falling,  bruises  and  eventually  injuries  and  more  stress  to  the  animals,  thus 
compromising  animal  welfare  and  also  reducing  meat  quality,  with  the  associated 
economic losses. An accurate design of platforms and loading ramps will facilitate 
loading and unloading with minimum animal distress and bruising. 

Drivers  and  operators  should  be  aware  that  some  animals  may  have  suffered  from 
transport conditions and should be handled accordingly during unloading in order to avoid 
any additional stress.  

The handling skills required are similar to those reported for loading. Attendants 
and  receiving  personnel  should  be  able  to  detect  signs  of  unfit,  ill  or  injured  animals 
similar  to  those  described  for  fitness  to  transport  and  adapted  or  amended  operating 
procedures should be planned for such cases. 

Along  with  the  physiological  and  health  status  of  the  animal  and  inadequate  handling, 
risks of poor welfare at unloading are mainly related to: 
o 

the inadequate design of driveway and gates (in particular width) that could 
cause bruising, injuries, reluctance to move, 
the slippery of the floor surface including ramp that will lead to similar adverse 
effect, 
the presence of sharp protrusion that will cause injuries, 
the lighting environment that may cause disorientation and fear.  

o 

o 
o 

5.2 LAYOUT OF THE UNLOADING AREA 

Unloading areas should be secure and provide a wide, clear, straight path from the vehicle 
to  the  holding  pens.  Good  and  Better  Practices  related  to  the  design  of  facilities  for 
unloading cattle are described in paragraph 3.2 Loading facilities. 

Good practices regarding the layout of the unloading area 

231.  Closed fences should be provided around the unloading area to avoid intrusion 

232. 

and escape of the animals in case of incidents during unloading 
Traffic areas and truck paths between entrance (of farms, assembly centres, 
control posts, slaughterhouses), loading and unloading areas and parking must 
be  planned  according  to  the  maximum  size  for  trucks,  trailer  and  semitrailers 
and to their radius of curvature.  

233.  There  should  be  a  clear  signalling  and  identification  of  the  dock  (for 

example, according to the type of truck). 

 
 
 
234.  The floors of the ramp and dock must not be slippery and the composition of 
the  floors  should  ensure  that  the  discharge  of  faces  and  urine  is  kept  to  a 
minimum. 

235.  Regular cleaning and maintenance of the floor shall be carried out. 
236.  A suitable source of light must be present for unloading procedures. 
237.  During  unloading,  animals  should  move  from  dark  to  lighter  areas  (i.e.  they 
should  move  towards  a  source  of  light),  avoiding  contrast  of  light  such  as 
shadows. 

238.  Lighting  in  the  compartment  and  in  the  loading  area  must  be  able  to  operate 
throughout the duration the whole loading stage with the truck engine off.  
239.  The optimum unloading angle for all animals is “zero”, so various methods to 
maintain the angle as low as possible have to be adopted (minimum height 
of the dock depending on the type of trucks, lift, etc.) (see Figure 5.1). 
240.  As animals prefer to walk slightly uphill rather than downhill, it is advisable to 

maintain lower angles during unloading. 

241.  Limit the slope of the ramp. Slope should not exceed 10° or 17% and in any 
case 20° or 36 % for calves and 26° or 50% for cattle. As a guideline, a quay 
height of 90 cm is recommended for current truck design. Where small vehicles 
are expected (for example, at slaughterhouses or markets where local transports 
from  farms  are  expected),  a  low-level  dock  with  ascending  ramp  is 
recommended. 

242.  The dock for trucks should be 2.75 m wide and equipped with lateral protections 

(height >1.7 m). 

Figure 5.1 Possible recommended features for (un)loading animals. 

Better practices 
243. 

244. 

245. 

246. 

As  a  guideline,  the  area  in  front  of  the  unloading  dock  should  be  twice  the 
length of the trucks. 
The unloading area should be covered and protected from adverse weather 
conditions. 
Avoid  opening  the  truck  doors  in  the  direction  of  the  east,  as  this  will  help  to 
limit  unwanted  balking  behaviour  (animals  refusing  to  proceed,  and  instead 
going backwards) due to the direct sunlight. 
The dock should include human passageways in order to ensure the safety 
of handlers. 

58 

 
 
 
Guide to good practices for the transport of the Cattle 

5.3 OPERATING PROCEDURE 

The main points to be checked during the procedure, are:  
o 
o 
o  Required status of the indicated dock (available for unloading, equipped for the type 

Transmission of information at arrival and adequate orientation of the truck, 
Positioning of the truck, 

of animals to unload), 
Establishment of safety equipment, 

o 
o  Correct handling, 
o 

That all animals have left the vehicle. 

Good practices regarding the procedure of unloading 

247.  Operators should avoid wearing bright coloured clothes as farmers usually 

wear dark clothes. 

248.  Good  communication  is  important.  Along  with  legal  requirements  regarding 
identification and health status, the driver  shall inform the  receptionist of any 
relevant information regarding the health and welfare status of the animals (e.g. 
animal category, presence  of injured animals, sick or weak animals, etc.) and 
the  conditions  during  the  transport  (e.g.  climatic  or  road  events,  duration  of 
transport, etc.). The receptionist shall give clear indication to the driver where 
to unload the animals. 
The unloading procedure should not start until correct positioning of the truck 
and the safety equipment (e.g. a lateral barrier) have been checked. 
The  unloading  procedure  should  not  start  until  potential  sources  of 
disturbance have been removed (e.g. other operators in front of the opening 
doors, inadequate lighting, etc.). 

249. 

250. 

251.  Cattle should not be  rushed during unloading as this can be a major  cause of 

252. 

253. 

injuries and poor welfare.  
Electric  prods  should  not  be  used  except  on  adult  bovines  who  refuse  to 
move and when other tools/practices have not been successful, and only when 
the  animal  has  a  clear  open  way  in  front  of  it.  The  use  of  electric  prods  is 
forbidden for calves and non-adult bovines.  
Animals should be unloaded in small groups corresponding to the groups in 
the truck, avoiding as far as possible the isolation of individual animals. 

Better practices regarding the procedure of unloading 

254. 

255. 

The  arrival  of  the  truck  at  its  final  destination  requires  specific  attention,  as 
significant delays prior to unloading and subsequent handling and/or slaughter 
may  negatively  impact  animal  welfare  and  exacerbate  any  existing  problems. 
Plan the  arrival  at destination  so as to  avoid  any  unnecessary  waiting 
time  of  the  animals  in  the  truck.  In  the  case  of  arrival  at  slaughterhouses 
just-in-time delivery is acceptable in accordance with a pre-arranged time. 
The health and welfare of the animals should be immediately checked on the 
dock. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
5.4 CARE OF ANIMALS AT UNLOADING 

Unloading  of  cattle  can  cause  serious  stress  and  discomfort.  It  is  important  that 
appropriate care is given to the animals, in particular when they have sustained injury 
during transport. 

Good practices when dealing with emergencies 

256. 

257. 
258. 

If animals need to remain in a control post after the truck has departed, for 
instance  because  they  are  injured  or  otherwise  unfit  to  be  transported,  they 
must  be  kept  in  a  separated  building,  away  from  washed  and  disinfected 
areas. The local competent authorities should be informed of these animals. No 
disinfection of the pens should take place whilst the animals are still inside them.  
Trucks with poor ventilation or other complications should be unloaded first. 
Trucks  should  be  parked  in  an  area  protected  from  adverse  weather 
conditions  (this  should  be  taken  into  account  in  the  layout  of  the  unloading 
areas). Delays should be limited to less than one hour before the animals can be 
housed or slaughtered. 

259.    If an animal is refusing to leave the truck: 

o 

o 

o 

If  the  animal  is  not  sick  /  injured  or  trapped,  check  for  any  cause  of 
disturbance, gently stimulate / guide the animal with a stick, preferably from 
outside the truck. Electric prods should only be used as a last resort 
If  the  animals  is  sick  /  injured  or  is  still  unable  to  move  (generally  similar 
criteria to that of animals unfit for transport), inform the official veterinarian 
or  the  animal  welfare  officer  (at  the  slaughterhouse)  and  follow  the 
instructions (usually the procedure is the stunning of the animal followed by 
a quick bleeding in a dedicated equipment / area in the slaughterhouse). 
If  the  animal  is  trapped,  consider  the  ability  to  safely  (for  both  animal  and 
operator)  remove  the  obstacles  before  following  the  procedure  described 
above. 

5.5  CLEANING  AND  DISINFECTION  OF  VEHICLES 
AFTER UNLOADING 

Bio-security  measures  are  necessary  to  prevent  the  spreading  of  diseases.  A 
clean  vehicle  is  also  required  because  stress  during  transport  may  affect  the  immune 
system of the animals, and make them more sensitive to disease.   

Good practices for truck cleaning and disinfection 

260.  Trucks should be cleaned directly after unloading, and before they enter the 

overnight parking space. 

261.  Before  cleaning  and  disinfecting,  dirty  bedding  should  be  removed  and 
conveyed  to  the  manure  treatment  facility  or  the  manure  storage  area.  The  truck 

60 

 
 
 
 
 
Guide to good practices for the transport of the Cattle 

compartment  should  be  cleaned  preferably  using  high  pressure  warm  water  (>70 
bars).  

262.  During cleaning the operator should wear protective waterproof clothing  
263.  Walls  and  compartment  barriers  which  are  clean  but  still  wet  should  be 

264. 

265. 

disinfected using authorised disinfectant products. 
The  cleaning  and  disinfection  area  must  have  sufficient  hot  and  cold  water 
available to clean the maximum number of trucks that can stay each day. 
Cleaning and disinfection areas should be free of obstacles around the truck within 
a 2-meter perimeter. Lighting must be available at night time. 
266.  400 lux should be provided at the level of objects to be cleaned  
267. 

All washing equipment and products must be securely stored and protected from 
weather. 

268.  Upper decks must be cleaned first.  
269. 

The driver must keep a record of each cleaning/disinfection indicating the trade 
name of the disinfectant product used and the doses. 

Better practices for truck cleaning and disinfection 

270. 

271. 

272. 

273. 

274. 

275. 

276. 

The driver should have access to a list of washing and disinfection areas in 
Europe, including their conditions of use, opening hours, availability of fresh water 
and fresh litter. 
Lorry wash areas should be 25 m long to accommodate trucks, with a 5 to 7% 
slope to drain waste water to the relevant collecting system. 
There  should  be  a  checklist  on  the  truck  with  the  main  points  required  for 
adequate cleaning, including the bedding material used, water quality, approved 
program  of  cleaning  and  disinfection,  the  method  of  inspection,  correctives 
measures, detergent and the disinfectant agents approved and used. 
A standard operation procedure for cleaning and disinfection should be present at 
the unloading facilities, and should be applied. 
Special  attention  should  be  given  to  disinfecting  the  tyres  and  the 
underneath  of  the  truck,  especially  before  travelling  back  to  areas/countries 
with a low disease status. 
There should be an external lift or stage or platform so that the upper parts of 
the lorry + roof can be cleaned from outside. 
There should be side protections in open disinfecting premises, so that no 
pollution from the lorry will contaminate far away surroundings.   

 
 
 
 
 
6.  STAY AT CONTROL POSTS, MARKETS AND 
ASSEMBLY CENTRES 

6.1 INTRODUCTION 

The maximum permitted travelling time is of 29 hours for cattle and 19 hours 
for unweaned calves, with a tolerance in all cases of 2 additional hours to reach 
the final destination (thus 21 hours or 31 hours if this allows arrival at the final 
destination). This additional 2 hours are exceptional only (e.g. in cases of traffic jams) 
and are not to be included in the planning. At the end of the legal maximum permitted 
travelling time,  the  animals  must  reach  the  final destination  and  shall  be  unloaded  for 
slaughter (in the case of slaughter animals) or for a resting period of 24 hours, which in 
ongoing  journeys  has  to  happen  at  an  approved  control  post  before  travelling  further. 
The  Regulation  also  establishes  a  maximum  duration  for  long  journeys,  which  varies 
according to the species and the age of the animals, and requires a specific resting period 
(see also 2.2 Planning the Journey) 

Control  posts  are  facilities  which  may  be  attended  and  inspected  by  an  official 
veterinarian,  and  which  have  been  approved  by  competent  authorities  based  on  the 
requirement  of  specific  EU  requirements  (Council  Regulation  EC  No  1255/97).  At  the 
control post the animals may rest, be fed and watered and cared for during long journeys.  

Assembly centres are places such as holdings, collection centres and markets, at which 
animals from different holdings may be sold and grouped together to form consignments. 
Regarding animal welfare and health, the main risks are similar for control posts, markets 
and assembly centres (see below).  

Control  posts  must  be  designed,  organised  and  managed  to  accommodate  animals  for 
rest,  feeding,  watering,  and  care  during  long  journeys.  Housing  conditions  and  staff 
working  at  the  control  posts  should  guarantee  that  the  animals  transported  receive 
adequate care according to their status and continue their journey under optimum welfare 
conditions  including  compliance  with  animal-health  requirements  and  bio-security 
measures. Therefore, resting periods in control posts must ensure the possibility 
for all animals to get rest, food and water at the level of their needs. Then the 
use of control posts is an efficient mean to improve animal welfare and benefit return for 
the  economic  operators  during  very  long  transport.  Control  posts  can  be  approved  for 
pigs, cattle, sheep and/or horses. The booking of the Control post has to be done before 
the beginning of the transport and must be indicated in the journey log. A current list 
of control posts can be found on the internet at the following address:  
https://ec.europa.eu/food/sites/food/files/animals/docs/aw_list_of_approved_control_p
osts.pdf 

Main risks of poor welfare at control posts, as well as at assembly centres and markets 
are related to: 
o  Cross-border spread of infectious diseases. Risks are due to the mixing in the 
same  place  of  animals  of  different  origin,  not  only  because  of  the  simultaneous 
presence  of  the  animals  in  the  control  post,  but  also  due  to  poor  cleaning  and 
disinfection procedures between successive consignments. The European regulation 
establishes rules and procedures, applying to a list of diseases. However, the Control 
Post owner and staff, transporters and the official veterinarian in charge should also 
be  aware  of  the  possibility  that  non-listed  diseases  may  spread  and  should  be 
therefore well informed and trained so as to be able to detect non listed diseases, as 

62 

 
 
Guide to good practices for the transport of the Cattle 

well  as  symptoms  or  changes  in  the  behaviour  of  the  animals  that  could  indicate 
health problems. 
Inappropriate/rough/hasty unloading or loading procedures which can cause 
stress and injuries 
Inadequate  space  allowances  and/or  pen  sizes  in  the  control  post  that  can 
compromise  resting  conditions  and  cause  competition  and  aggressive  behaviour 
between animals. 
Inappropriate  feeding  and  watering,  and  facilities  that  could  cause  animals 
frustration or health problems due to hunger and/or dehydration 

o 

o 

o 

Relevant  recommendations  can  be  found  in  High  Quality  Control  Post  Handbook 
(www.controlpost.eu) 

Good practice 

277.  All control posts are required to have a closing day for cleaning and disinfection 
after  6  days  of  usage.  It  is  good  practice  to  undertake  this  during  any  available 
break in occupation even after less than 6 days of continuous use. 

278.  A Proof of an Appointment and a Proof of an Acceptance of the animals by 
the control post must be shown to the ‘loading vet’ (the veterinary officer approving 
the journey).  

279.  Only one assembly centre is used during long journeys, and any resting legally 
required during a very long transport must be for a full 24 hours at an approved 
control post.  

6.2 HOUSING 

The objective of good housing is to provide animals with protection from extreme climate 
conditions  and  adequate  resting  conditions  to  recover  from  stress  induced  by  long 
journeys.  

Good practices for housing  

280.  Temperature  and  ventilation  in  control  posts  and  assembly  centres  should  be 
maintained within a temperature range called the thermo-neutral zone. This 
range is dependent upon the type of floor, its insulation properties, the air speed, 
air  temperature  and  humidity,  radiation  and  the  insulation  of  the  building.  See 
Table 6.2 for the recommended temperatures. 

281.  Building  insulation  is  required  to  keep  the  animal  accommodations  frost-free 

(particularly in fully slatted floored houses).  

282.  The  control  post  must  have  adequate  mechanical  or  natural  ventilation  to 
provide  fresh  air  and  keep  the  effective  environmental  temperature  within  the 
comfort zone of the animals. Air circulation should take place above the head of the 
animals.  

283.  To keep the inside temperature above the indicated minimum, additional heating 
must be applied if necessary, especially for younger animals. If the temperature 
is higher than the indicated maximum, additional measures have to be taken: 
more  floor  space,  additional  fans  for  ventilation  (and  when  necessary  water 
spraying). If the air is humid in cold weather, the animals can more easily feel cold 
stress. 

 
 
 
  
Table  6.2  Recommended  temperatures  in  buildings  to  minimize  health  problems  for 

animals. 

Animal categories 

Minimum temperature 

Maximum temperature 

Calves before weaning  

Cattle ≤ 400 kg 

+5°C 

+ 5°C 

+25°C 

+25°C 

The number of pens of a control post should allow for the same number and size of groups 
as  on  the  truck.  If  there  are  not  enough  pens  in  the  control  post  with  respect  to  the 
number of pens in the truck,  no more than 2 pens of the truck should be mixed. 
Operators  should  then  check  the  behaviour  of  the  animals,  and  isolate  injured  or 
stressed animals if necessary. 

284.  To create separated groups of animals according to provenance and animal species, 
the control post should be equipped with mobile barriers. These barriers must 
be  constructed  in  such  way  that  they  can’t  harm  or  injure  the  animal  and  all 
materials used must be non-toxic, cleanable and can be disinfected.  

285.  In each pen, space allowance must be adapted to the size of the animal. The 

space allowances provided in Table 6.3 should be used. 

Table 6.3 Minimum space allowances at control posts  

Animal categories 

(m2/head) 

Small calves (50 kg LW)  
Medium sized calves (110 kg LW)  
Heavy calves (200 kg LW)  
Medium sized cattle (325 kg LW)  
Heavy cattle (550 kg LW) 
Very heavy cattle (> 700 kg LW) 

0.4 
0.7 
1.1 
1.5 
2.2 
3.0 

286.  The  flooring  must  be  non-slippery,  cleanable,  and  sufficiently  drained 

(urine, water). It must be adapted to animal categories.  

287.  Diffuse  natural  or  proper  artificial  lighting  should  be  provided  from  the  (un-
)loading area to the resting area. The lighting can be of 40 lux in the regular pens 
(reading a newspaper is possible), but it must be stronger in the nursery pen (250 
lux), and in the milking parlour and on the unloading area (100 to 150 lux). Care 
should  be  paid  in  order  to  avoid  any  light  contrast,  light  reflection  on  metal 
equipment, or high luminosity because this causes animals to stop, and sometimes 
to turn back. 

288.  One fire extinguisher must be available in each building according to the quantity 

and type (solid, liquid, gas) of combustible materials. 

Better practices for housing 

289.  Facilities and equipment should be tested before new delivery of animals 

64 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Guide to good practices for the transport of the Cattle 

6.3 FEEDING AND WATERING 

During transport, animals have no easy access to food, so it is important that they can 
drink and eat during the resting period at the control post. When animals are resting in 
the control post, their biological needs should be covered.  

Main risks of poor welfare related to watering and feeding are linked with: 
o 
o 

Inadequate amount of food and water 
Inadequate quality or presentation of food and water 

Potential  adverse  effects  are  stress  (hunger,  thirst,  social)  and  health  (illness  or 
mortality).  Economic  losses  (mortality  and  weight  losses)  can  increase  with  poorly 
designed and managed feeding and watering procedure of animals at control posts. 

Good practices for feeding and watering 

290.  Feed  shall  be  stored  in  a  (closed)  clean,  dry  and  labelled  (visually 
identifiable) facility. Feed storage facilities are used for feed only, unless feed is 
stored  in  closed  containers/packaging  material.  No  chemicals  (for  instance 
pesticides,  biocides,  veterinary  pharmaceuticals)  are  present  in  feed  storage 
facilities. The feed storage facility must be included in the pest control program. 

291.  The  feeding  equipment  shall  be  constructed  and  installed  so  that  food 
contamination and competition among animals are minimised, and that the 
equipment is no obstacle or reason for injuries.  

292.  If animals are fed ad libitum, at least 1 feeding place per 10 heads in group housing 
must be available. If they are fed restricted, all animals in the pen must be 
able  to  eat  at  the  same  time.  The  minimal  feeder  space  per  head  is  given  in 
Table 6.4. 

Table 6.4 Minimal feeder space per head 

Animal categories 

Calves before weaning  

Calves after weaning  
Cattle ≤ 400 kg 
Cattle > 400 kg 
Cows 

(m) 

Individual feeders 
(one 2l feeder /animal) 
0,34 
0,50 
0,65 
0,70 

293.  Feeding  installations  must  be  cleaned  and  if  necessary  disinfected  between 

successive batches of animals. 

294.  The  minimum  quantity  of  feed  should  be  the  level  required  for  body 
maintenance as shown in the Table 6.5. Feed must be of homogeneous quality 
and in sufficient quantity to avoid any competition. It must be palatable and adapted 
to the species and to the age.  

Table 6.5 Minimal feed quantity per head 

Animal categories 
Calves before weaning  
Cattle ≤ 400 kg 
Cattle > 400 kg 

Feed(kg/head/24h) 
Milk replacer: 2 l/12 h 
Hay: 7 kg 
Hay: 15 kg 

295.  Drinking devices must be designed and positioned in a way that is appropriate 

for the species, the age and the size of animals.  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
296.  Two accessible drinkers per pen assure free access to water when animals want 
to drink at the same time: keep 60cm of open space over the drinker to facilitate 
easy access 

297.  The  drinker  height  must  allow  each  category  of  animals  to  drink  in  a  natural 

standing position.  

298.  Pollution of the drinking water can lead to deficient water absorption and illnesses, 

therefore it is necessary to be able to empty and clean the drinking bowl completely.   

299.  The drinkers should not create obstacles for animals, workers, machines and 
mechanical systems. They shouldn’t be placed next to the feeder and resting areas, 
to prevent from possible losses of water that could wet food and bedding. 

300.  Water flow at the drinker must be adjusted to the species. 
301.  Animals should have free access to fresh potable water, delivered ad libitum.  
302.  Young  calves  should  not  be  watered  with  cold  water,  especially  in  winter,  as  it 
may cause diarrhoea. They should be provided with warm water (about 30°C) 
or electrolytes to meet the water needs. 

6.4 BIOSECURITY, CLEANING AND DISINFECTION  

Transport conditions impose a close contact between animals and can increase the risk 
of  pathogens  spreading.  Biosecurity  is  based  on  good  hygiene  practices  aimed  to  limit 
pathogen  development  and  spread,  logistic  management  to  prevent  contacts  between 
different consignments, and global management of the location to minimise sanitary risks 
and hazards. The owner of the location (but also the transporter) has to ensure the bio-
security  criteria  are  followed  in  order  to  protect  the  animals  that  are  hosted. 
Regulation (EC) 1255/97 sets down the requirements regarding the location, construction 
and  operation  of  control  posts  that  aim  to  achieve  an  appropriate  level  of  biosecurity. 
Local competent authorities check that these requirements are fulfilled before approving 
control posts.  

Good practices regarding biosecurity at control posts 

303.  Hygienic  routing  of  transport  is  organised  to  prevent  external  transport  (feed 
deliveries, removal transport of waste) to cross internal transport (animals). Different 
routes  are  clearly  indicated  to  separate  ‘clean’  and  ‘dirty’  routes  to:  animal 
buildings,  lorry  wash  station,  feed  and  bedding  storage,  and  manure  storage.  If 
physical separation is not possible, transports are separated in time. A plan to show 
the movement of all such vehicles or time separation to prevent cross overs should 
be made available. 

304.  The control post is divided into zones to allow the control post owner to plan for 
traffic patterns, work organization and biosecurity measures. Zones are large enough 
to permit later expansion without encroaching on other areas. Control posts can be 
divided into three concentric rings or activity zones: Zone 1 office and main entrance; 
Zone  2  accommodation  for  drivers,  store  house  and  truck  wash;  Zone  3  animal 
houses, truck parking and waste storages (See Figures 6.1 and 6.2).  

305.  Traffic  areas  and  truck  paths  between  entrance,  (un)loading  areas,  truck  wash 
and  parking  are  planned  according  to  the  maximum  size  for  trucks,  trailer  and 
semitrailers and to their radius of curvature.   

66 

 
 
 
Guide to good practices for the transport of the Cattle 

Figure 6.1 Example of the organization of a control post to optimize biosecurity 

306. 

Dead animals are stored in a separate building or sealed container 
(chilled) and these facilities must be paved or floored with appropriate material. 
They should be cleaned and disinfected after every use. Carcasses are transferred 
to vehicles for transportation to the site of disposal or incineration in a manner 
that ensures these vehicles do not have to enter the premises of the control post 
(Regulation (EC) N. 1774/2002). Bedding and waste from these buildings should 
be removed and disposed of in an appropriate manner.  

307. 

Animal buildings are clearly marked. Control post staff should be the only 
persons  allowed  to  enter  into  these  buildings  of  the  control  post.  All  people 
entering the building have to wear clean clothes and shoes (or one-use disposable 
clothing) or walk through footbath facilities to disinfect the shoes before entering 
into the control post. The driver has to fulfil this procedure to handle animals into 
the  control  post.  Bathroom  should  be  available  to  visitors  and  drivers  to  wash 
their hands and themselves.  

 
 
 
 
Figure 6.2 Possible organizational layout of a control post.   

308. 

The cleaning, removal of solid waste, washing and the disinfection 
of  the  building  and  equipment  must  be  completed  within  24h  from  the 
time of removal of the animals from the pens. Buildings and equipment should be 
dry before a new batch of animals can be housed again. Cleaning of barriers and 
flooring (pens and ways) should be done using high pressure water (40-200 bars, 
25 to 70 l/min).  

309. 

Warm water with detergent is specially recommended for metallic 
barriers. Cleaning of drinkers and feeders can be done as partitions, floors and 
walls by using warm high pressure water, or if possible by soaking equipment 20 
to 30 minutes in warm water and detergent before pressure cleaning. Foaming 
can improve the washing. When pens wall and barriers are clean and still humid, 
disinfection should be done. 

310. 

Authorized  disinfectant  products  should  be  sprayed  according  to 
manufacturers’  recommendations.  Only  authorised  products  (under  national 
agreements)  can  be  used:  for  national  lists  of  products,  refer  to  official 
veterinarian and check for AFNOR reference (NFT 72-150/151, 72-170/171, 72-
200/201, 72-180/181).  

Better practices regarding biosecurity at control posts 

311. 

Changing rooms separated from building in which animals are kept should 
be available both for co-workers, drivers and visitors (veterinarians, inspectors, 
etc.). A basin with running hot and cold water, soap, disinfectants, clean towels 
are  available  in  the  changing  rooms.  The  control  post  shall  have  showers, 
toilets and leisure room for drivers and a well-kept first aid kit. 

68 

 
 
 
 
 
Guide to good practices for the transport of the Cattle 

312. 

The control post should have communication facilities available for 
drivers (telephone, fax, internet) and a website including: the name of the contact 
person  of  the  control  post,  phone  number,  e-mail  address,  address,  route 
planner,  opening  times,  availability  of  facilities,  language  spoken,  service 
available for driver (sanitation, leisure facilities, etc.) and health service. A phone 
list of local medical practitioners, hospitals, police, fire department, veterinarians 
must be available. 

313. 

Water supply to animals should be potable and not become contaminated. 
Any  water  storage  tanks  must  be  covered  and  capable  of  being  disinfected  if 
necessary. Water supply systems should be capable of being flushed with 
a sanitizer if required. 

314. 

Storage  of  feed  and  bedding  must  be  kept  secure  and  not  capable  of 
becoming contaminated. Tractors and other mechanical equipment used for 
feeding and bedding should be cleansed and disinfected after each use. 

6.5 Emergency  

In case of emergencies occurring while animals are at the control post, the contingency 
plan of the control post and that of the transporter are activated.  

Good practices during emergencies at control posts 

315. 

If there are not enough pens according to the number of pens in the truck, 
no more than two pens of the truck are mixed. Behaviour is observed and 
injured or stressed animals are isolated 

316. 

If  an  animal  shows  signs  of  colic  (e.g.  profuse  sweating,  continuous 
rolling, turning head towards the belly, persistent movement and getting up and 
down  violently,  lying  down  frequently),  which  is  one  of  the  most  common 
problems, veterinary assistance is sought immediately. It is avoided as much 
as possible to stress the animal. 

317. 

If  several  trucks  arrive  together  at  a  control  post  with  animals  of 

different sanitary status: 

o 

The competent authorities are contacted for official recommendations, also 
when one or more trucks create a biosecurity hazard.  

o  Animals  of  different  sanitary  status  are  isolated  in  different  areas  of  the 

site.  

318. 

post: 

If a local sanitary crisis occurs when animals are expected at the control 

o 

o 

The competent authorities are contacted for official recommendations, also 
when one or more trucks create a biosecurity hazard.  
The driver and the owner of the transported animals are informed before the 
arrival. Mobile disinfection systems (wheel splash-boards) are used when the 
truck enters the control post. 

Better practices during emergencies at control posts 

319. 

If  animals  need  to  remain  in  the  control  post  after  the  truck  has 
departed,  for  instance  because  they  are  injured  or  otherwise  unfit  to  be 
transported, they are kept in a separate area. The local competent authorities 
are  informed  of  these  animals.  No  pens  are  disinfected  whilst  animals  are  still 
inside them. Care is taken not to cause avoidable stress. 

 
 
 
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Livestock 

Transport 

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ABM 

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European  Animal  Welfare  Platform,  2012.  Final  Report.  Project  FP7-KBBE,  212326. 

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Eurogroup  for  Animals,  UECBV,  Animals’  Angels,  ELT,  FVE,  IRU.  (2012)  Practical 
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amending Directives 64/432/EEC and 93/119/EC and Regulation (EC) No 1255/97 
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OJ 
content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:32005R0001&from=en  

5.1.2005. 

3, 

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tips  on 

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warm-weather/   

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INTERBEV,  2003.  Guide  des  Bonnes  pratiques  du  transport  :  assurer  le  bien-être  des 

bovins et la sécurité des hommes. Not available online.  

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filière. 

professionnel 
la 
aux 
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opérateurs 

destiné 

de 

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règlementation. 

transport. 
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html  

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de 

la 

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la  densité  de  chargement? 

:  quel  serait 
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449&page=1&r=transport&sort=0 

l’impact  d’une  baisse  de 

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à  l'abattoir,2013  http://www.interbev.fr/ressource/guide-de-bonnes-pratiques-
pour-la-maitrise-de-la-protection-animale-des-bovins-a-labattoir/ 

Institut de l'Elevage, 2012. Outil  d'auto-diagnostic de la qualité du transport des bovins 
et 
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bretagne.fr/admin/upload/GIE_batiment_et_chargement_gros_bovins_v5_BAT.p
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&ved=0CCAQFjAAahUKEwjLyKLj0ZLIAhWEQhQKHX8FDWo&url=http%3A%2F%2
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OeFWI7g&bvm=bv.103627116,d.d24 

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LIVESTOCK TRANSPORT CATTLE SHEEP AND PIGS HANDLE WITH CARE. An information 
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vivants.  

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SANCO (2012) Study on the impact of Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 on the protection of 
animals  during  transport  Specific  Contract  N°  SANCO/2010/D5/S12.574298: 
Framework  contract:  evaluation  impact  assessment  and  related  services;  lot  3: 
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Grandin,  T.,  2013.  The  Effect  of  Economics  on  the  Welfare  of  Cattle,  Pigs,  Sheep  and 
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http://www.grandin.com/welfare/economic.effects.welfare.html  

72 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Guide to good practices for the transport of the Cattle 

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