1.        The current regulations are simply not enough: Even though the new rules from the EU on transportation of livestock, they are still to shear to counter all the pain and suffering these animals experience whilst in transportation. Even the European Commission says that the way that some EU countries regulate these rules and regulations are simply not strict enough to help end the suffering of life-stock.

2.        Poor enforcement of the regulations in place: There is a significant difference between having regulations in place and actually enforcing those regulations. There are a significant number of reports where livestock transportation organisations operate under poor conditions, and almost always without any consequences. A lot of for example, livestock transport ships are deemed as not suitable for the transportation of livestock. Which should’ve been their main objective. 

3.        High temperature limits: The current regulations on temperature are that livestock can’t get transported when its 30+ degrees Celsius. This temperature limit is simply still to high and since the animals get cramped in a very small space, the animals can experience difficulty breathing, and some even straight up die while being transported. It’s crucial that even the animals that are being transported to the slaughterhouse don’t experience unneeded extra stress.

4.        Age and the state of the transportation vehicle: A lot of vehicles used for livestock transport are old and not specifically designed to transport livestock. For example, the average age of a livestock transportation ship is 43 years old, and many are redesigned cargo ships, so not designed for livestock transport.

5.        Long trips: The trips are also way to long for the livestock, this can lead to extra stress, animals suffering pain and injuries or even death. The maximum time a transportation vehicle can be on the road is 8 hours, that would be great if animals would get the time to get some fresh air, but it doesn’t state anything towards letting the animals out of the vehicle, and if the full 8 hours is purely suffering then it would also be bad. This rule just extends a trip which could lead to longer suffering and more chance on death of the animal.

6.        Improved checks and responsibilities: The implementation of better regulations and some sort of tracking system to the transportation vehicles would help regulate the rules since almost non of the drivers actually keeps themselves to the regulations. And if they get kept accountable for their actions it might help with decreasing the counts of the animals that are currently suffering.

Conclusion:   For the sake of the animal well-being it is essential that the EU makes more regulations for the transportation of livestock, and more regulation of those regulations. These regulations should include the conditions of the vehicles being used in transport, the time that transportation and the regulation of these regulations. By enforcing this the suffering of animals could critically decrease.