Full title: Opinion of the FRCAW on the impacts of loading density on the risk of falls and injuries in cattle during transport
Requested by: Animal Welfare Office (BBEA) of the General Directorate for Food (DGAL), French Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty
Date delivered by the FRCAW: 23/05/2025
Date of publication in English: 17/12/2025
DOI: 10.17180/cj33-by25
Context
The European regulations on the welfare of farm animals are currently being revised. In December 2023, the European Commission published its Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the protection of animals during transport and related operations, amending Regulation (EC) No 1255/97 and abrogating Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 currently in force. This revision is intended to update regulatory requirements in light of the latest scientific advances on animal welfare during transport, and is based on expert opinions published by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) at the request of the European Commission. The draft revision of Regulation 1/2005 suggests higher space allowances (lower densities) than those in Regulation 1/2005, in order to improve the space available to the animals being transported and hence their welfare.
Following the publication of the draft revision, professional farming and transport organisations have raised the possibility of a greater risk of falls and injuries if lower densities are applied during transport. To support its arguments during European discussions, the Animal Welfare Office of the DGAL asked the FRCAW to answer the following question: ‘Is it the case that [cattle] transported by road at the densities set out in the proposed regulation to revise Regulation No 1/2005 are more likely to fall and/or be injured than [cattle] transported by road at the densities laid down in the current regulation (Regulation No 1/2005)?’
The report by the FRCAW summarises the key points of the EFSA opinion on the welfare of cattle during transport, focusing exclusively on information relating to falls and injuries associated with loading density during transport.
It examines three areas:
- An analysis of the scientific literature the impacts of a reduction in loading density (increase in the space allowance) on the risk of falls and injuries;
- The effects of a reduction in loading density (increase in the space allowance) on other welfare indicators for cattle);
- Other aggravating factors that can lead to falls and injuries in cattle during transport.
Main conclusions of the FRCAW
For all cattle (calves, young adults, adults), the space allowances set out in the proposed regulation would not increase the risk of falls and injuries during transport, allowing cattle to achieve better balance, lie down more (particularly when provided with straw bedding), and generally become less fatigued.
No additional stress has been demonstrated in calves transported at space allowances corresponding to the proposed regulations.
An increase in space allowance (reduction in loading density) would a priori reduce the risk of falls and injuries during transport, taking account of other parameters such as:
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- The quality of driving and the route taken
- The design of vehicles
- The presence and type of bedding
- The duration and distance of the journey
