Load Density. Another prerequisite to prevent stress during transport is sufficient loading
density, which allows animals to lie down. The number of pigs per load is a parameter that
influences heat stress development; more fatigue and aggressiveness, lower meat quality
and a higher mortality are observed if too little space is allowed. The new legislation in
force since January 2007 concerning the loading density (the Council Regulation (EC) n.
1/2005(70)) recommends a maximum loading density for 100 kg pigs of 235 kg/m2
(0.425 m2
/100 kg), in order to guarantee animal welfare during transportation. Higher load
densities (321 kg/m2
or 0.31 m2
/100 kg) are considered unacceptable for the transport of
pigs since it negatively affects the animal’s health and well-being, causing higher levels of
physical stress related with a high activity of the enzyme CPK in the blood,(71) higher
mortality rates,(72) and worsening of meat quality.(58)