These guidelines cover the transportation process for cattle, pigs, goats, sheep and poultry, with an emphasis on land transportation, following two guidelines on Climate-smart livestock and Backyard farming and slaughtering (FAO, 2021a; 2021b). It also examines how pre-slaughter treatment, stunning and slaughter can compromise animal welfare by exposing livestock to conditions that result in pain, fear and distress. The guidelines do not cover further processing once death has been confirmed.

Live animals have been traded for thousands of years, from a simple exchange of animals between neighbours to modern trade in animals over vast distances. The nature of commercial livestock production and trade is such that livestock, at some point, undergo transportation from the farm of birth to a finishing system; to and from markets; to the abattoir or place of slaughter. Livestock production systems in Asia and the Pacific are becoming increasingly stratified, with several livestock movements or transfers between production and slaughter, however the vast majority of livestock are still farmed in a traditional manner. Reducing the number of steps and planning animal movement carefully can reduce the risk to animal health, animal welfare and foodborne disease. Reducing duration and frequency of transportation, whilst optimizing transportation conditions (and therefore improving animal welfare outcomes) will also invariably reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Transportation is potentially hazardous for animals, regardless of whether travel is between or within countries, or by road, rail, air or sea. However, there are ways in which we can identify risks to animal welfare, and suggest suitable alternative conditions which would result in acceptable animal welfare outcomes.