Transport, and the handling of swine during transport, is one of the most important steps in pig production. From the biosecurity issues in delivering new breeding stock to transporting hogs to market, every step can have a significant impact on the business. The more closely it is controlled and monitored, the more profitable the entire industry will be. This review, although not inclusive, depicts the complexity of swine transportation challenges, with the emphasis on biosecurity, animal welfare, and carcass and meat quality.
Biosecurity: In the swine breeding stock business, biosecurity is woven into every aspect of production. While the most important risks to the health of the herd are certainly the introduction of new animals to the farm and the proximity to other pigs, there is a continuous threat to the herd from the livestock trailers that service the farm. To minimize the risk that moving animals poses, critical attention must be paid to the routes that the vehicles take and to the overall cleanliness of the vehicles. For instance, "straight-line distribution" is the practice of only allowing pigs to move down the pyramid system from Genetic Nucleus to Daughter Nucleus to Multiplier to commercial herds.
Animal Welfare: The care given to animal safety and comfort on the farm must extend to the transportation of those animals to their destinations. The principles of animal welfare can be derived from the "Welfare Standards for Pigs" published by the RSPCA, including the "Five Freedoms" as defined by the UK Farm Animal Welfare Council: Freedom from hunger and thirst, Freedom from discomfort, Freedom from pain, injury or disease, Freedom to express normal behavior, and Freedom from fear and distress. It is very important to remember when moving pigs that they do not understand the objectives of the handler. Patience is necessary and force is counterproductive.
Carcass and Meat Quality: One of the most important factors influencing pork quality is the level of stress the animal undergoes prior to slaughter. Poor meat quality as a result of ante-mortem stress costs the packing industry several millions of dollars each year and improper transportation can be a major cause of this loss.