**Preface to "FarmAnimal Transport"**

This Special Issue considers the handling and transport of farmed land animals, of which there are some 70 billion produced annually. About two-thirds are farmed intensively within a segmented food chain at some distance from urbanised consumers of animal products. In the opening paper, Temple Grandin, who has spent a lifetime dedicated to improving animal handling, uses her predominantly North American experience to discuss reasons for the persistence of poor production and handling practices that have negative animal welfare and economic consequences. In many parts of the world, consumer awareness is driving the implementation of assurance schemes and legislation that aim to safeguard animal welfare at all stages, including transportation. The second paper explores consumer perceptions of sheep and cattle transport within and from Australia, where incidents in livestock transport by sea to the Middle East often hit the news. A review of the heat load and mortality experienced by cattle and sheep during sea transport in conditions of overcrowding and high ambient temperatures and humidity highlights the need for more research if such consignments are permitted to continue. Encouragingly, evidence emerges from Uruguay of the benefits of welfare training of truck drivers where the use of flags reduced the load time for cattle when compared with the use of prods or sticks, and overall bruising was reduced compared with a previous study in 2008. In the European Union, both legislation, such as Regulation (EC) 1/2005 on the protection of animals during transport and related operations, and assurance scheme requirements have improved conditions during transit. It is important that surveillance data, such as mortality on long journeys, are analysed to drive further improvements. The outcome of just such a paper, which evaluated records from an Italian control post, indicated that high stocking densities of sheep/goats transported by road on long journeys are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Several papers explore aspects of catching and transport for different species and genotypes, investigating specific stressors, methods of identifying them, and their consequences (including for meat quality). A review paper considers mobile poultry processing units as an option for small-scale production, and the concluding paper investigates ways of cleaning poultry transport coops to minimise cross-contamination. The Special Issue, therefore, adds to the body of evidence that can be drawn upon to reduce the negative consequences of farm animal transport. It is increasingly evident that to achieve both good animal welfare and economic reward in practice requires both "ownership" and attention to detail throughout the whole chain from farm to slaughter. This likely will be driven by increased consumer awareness demanding assurance. Hopefully public awareness will also end the unnecessary long-distance transport of cattle and sheep by sea from Australia to the Middle East for slaughter, which is associated with high mortality and much suffering in overcrowded, hot, and humid conditions.

> **Claire A. Weeks** *Editor*
