New developments in livestock transport within the pre-slaughter chain are discussed in terms of three logistic
nodes: origin, stopovers and slaughterhouse. Factors as transport cost, haulier, truck specifications, micro-environment
conditions, loading density, route planning, vehicle accidents and journey length are discussed as
well as causes of morbidity, mortality, live weight and carcass damage. Taking into account current trends towards
increased transport times, logistics stopovers and mixed transport, there is a need to develop systems of
evaluation and decision-making that provide tools and protocols that canminimize the biological cost to animals,
which may have been underestimated in the past.
Over the past few decades, food safety has becomemore of an issue
in animal production systems, forcing governments and industry to
react to maintain consumer confidence. The concept of quality in the
food sector has become more important for all involved in the agrifood
chain