2026-10-06T17:38:11Z https://api.figshare.com/v2/oai

oai:figshare.com:article/33771676 2026-09-15T05:34:08Z category_1280 portal_316 item_type_3 month_year_09_2026

Data Sheet 1_UK farmers opinions and challenges regarding fitness for transport and emergency slaughter.pdf Claire White (5851271) Jenna Murdoch (24912511) Erin Napier (8827483) Amelia Garcia-Ara (24912514) Farm Management, Rural Management and Agribusiness animal welfare emergency slaughter fitness for transport guidance opinions training Background<p>Fitness for transport decisions are essential for safeguarding livestock welfare, yet the UK’s current legislation leaves room for subjective judgement. Previous studies indicate that farmers often lack confidence when assessing borderline cases, and although emergency slaughter provides an option for animals unfit for transport, eligibility is narrow and access is limited. This study explores UK farmers’ experiences, challenges, and preferences regarding fitness for transport assessments for poultry, pigs, cattle and sheep, and emergency slaughter of domestic ungulates.</p>Methods<p>An online questionnaire was created (Jisc, 2019) containing twenty-eight questions to collect qualitative and quantitative data from UK commercial livestock farmers. It was distributed online and through in-person events during July and August 2023. The survey was advertised publicly through a variety of routes including social media (Instagram, Facebook), livestock markets, agricultural shows, veterinary practices, University of Nottingham staff and student emails, NFU website, national boards, and specialist veterinary groups.</p>Results<p>Lameness was identified as the most challenging condition to assess (79%), followed by pregnancy stage and body condition. While 86% reported familiarity with legislation, 39% lacked confidence in their transport decisions. Private veterinarians were the preferred source of advice, with gender differences observed in reliance on previous education and peer networks. Barriers to emergency slaughter included cost, location, and limited veterinary capacity. Over half of respondents wanted clearer guidance or more training, and 76% supported broadening eligibility for emergency slaughter to include older, aggressive, or chronically lame animals. Free-text responses raised concerns about long travel distances, the decline of small abattoirs, and interest in mobile abattoirs.</p>Limitations<p>Convenience sampling and a small number of responses (51) could influence the results of this study.</p>Conclusions<p>Despite high reported familiarity with regulations, farmers experience uncertainty in fitness for transport assessments. Clearer guidance, targeted training, and a review of emergency slaughter criteria may support better, more consistent decision-making and improve animal welfare outcomes.</p> 2026-09-15T05:34:08Z Dataset Dataset 10.3389/fanim.2026.1827413.s001 https://figshare.com/articles/dataset/Data_Sheet_1_UK_farmers_opinions_and_challenges_regarding_fitness_for_transport_and_emergency_slaughter_pdf/33771676 CC BY 4.0