Full title: Opinion of the FRCAW on the impacts of loading density on the risk of falls and injuries in pigs 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: 30/01/2026
DOI: 10.17180/2g18-p251
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 [pigs] 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 [pigs] transported by road that 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 pigs during transport, focusing mainly 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 pigs;
- Other aggravating factors that can lead to falls and injuries in pigs during transport.
Main conclusions of the FRCAW
Little data is available on the direct effect of lower loading densities (higher space allowances) on the risk of falls and injuries. However, no existing study indicates an increased risk of falls and injuries at the new space allowances for transport set out in the regulatory proposal. Indeed, the results of these studies show that:
- Skin lesions and/or haematomas are more frequent when the space allowance per animal is low (higher density);
- Pigs transported at a space allowance above the regulatory threshold are better rested during the journey and on arrival at the abattoir;
- An increase in space allowance (reduction in loading density) allows pigs to lie down, thereby reducing the risk of falls and encouraging:
- Rest;
- Thermoregulation;
- Access to drinkers inside vehicles.
