Three scientific evaluations of our investigations show the truth behind live animal transport

For years, our investigative teams have been monitoring, observing and documenting cruel long-distance transports inside and outside the EU. There are hardly any scientific studies on the consequences of live transports on animal welfare. Even EU institutions like the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), which is supposed to advise the EU Commission on the revision of the current EU transport regulation, denounce this. 

That is why EU authorities such as EFSA also count on our documentation, which we have had evaluated by experts and scientists. What we have recorded on countless investigation days in recent years, available in pictures, films and protocols, now also becomes scientific proof that long-distance transports systematically violate animal welfare. The studies are only available in English.

Report 1:
"Analysis of control data of transports of calves provided by the NGO Animal Welfare Foundation"
Analysis by Dr. A. Rabitsch

The data was provided by us and analysed by Dr Alexander Rabitsch on transports of unweaned calves on violations of applicable EU law. The subject of the study is the evaluation of 15 long-distance transports of calves. 

Frequent violations of the EU Animal Welfare Transport Regulation (EC) 1/2005 were investigated. The results show, among other things, that:  

• none of the transports had a drinking system suitable for non-weaned calves. It is therefore not possible to feed the animals inside the vehicle. 
• In 73 % of the inspections, the animals were not fed as required after nine hours.  
• At least 47 % of the vehicles were on the road longer than legally allowed.

Report 2: 
"Analysis of control data relating to the transport of lambs provided by the NGO Animal Welfare Foundation"
Analysis by Dr. A. Rabitsch

Also for this report, we provided investigation results to Dr Alexander Rabitsch for evaluation. Impacts on animal welfare are measured by animal-related indicators observed during long-distance transports of lambs. 

This scientific article proves that all documented violations of the current EU Animal Welfare Transport Regulation have a direct impact on the welfare of lambs during long-distance transports. Through the evaluation of animal-related indicators, it was shown that unnecessary suffering is inflicted on animals during transport. For example, lambs cannot be adequately fed in the transport vehicle due to unsuitable watering systems. Insufficient bedding and incorrectly installed partition walls pose a risk of injury, as does the mixing of horned and unhorned young animals. In 100 % of the inspected transports, the ceiling height was insufficient, which means that the animals cannot stand in a natural position during transport.

Report 3: 
"The consequences of different external factors on animal welfare during long-distance transport" 
Analysis by PhD Pablo Gago-Ferrero and PhD Ruben Gil-Solsona 

The analysed data was collected by us during controls of animal transporters at the Bulgarian-Turkish border (Kapitan Andreevo - Kapikule) between 2016 and 2021. This study includes 112 transports loaded with cattle. 

The aim of the study was to investigate the correlation between external factors (EF) affecting animal welfare during long transports, such as bedding, ceiling height, loading density, temperature and humidity in the transport vehicle and animal-related indicators (ABI). The analysis of the data revealed statistically significant correlations between, for example, bedding and the health burden of the animals during transport.

The reports may not be used without permission of Animal Welfare Foundation and Tierschutzbund Zürich. For further information please get in touch with info@animal-welfare-foundation.org / info@tierschutzbund-zuerich.ch