Authorities to stop transport of pigs in extreme heat 

Authorities throughout Europe are cracking down on welfare and pigs being transported in the heat have caught their attention.

And the problem is getting worse as even northern Europe now has very hot weather over longer summers. The pig industry is now being called on to either make special provision for animals being transported in the heat, or effectively stop the movement of animals for almost a third of the year.

As an example, the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration recently took the exceptional decision to not approve some trips of over eight hours if the supplier and hauler had not properly taken heat into consideration. If a trip is over eight hours, a report has to be filed with the Administration which will then check the route and the temperature forecast. Based on that, they may/or may not give the permission for the transport.

This could effectively shut down an industry which in Denmark alone sees the exportation of some ten million pigs which have to undergo trips of eight hours, mainly to Germany, Italy and Poland. The Danish Veterinary and Food Administration has publicly expressed disbelief that some 600 piglets can be packed into a single lorry in the summer, the inside temperature of which can reach the high 30°Cs.

Vets highlight the fact that transport is stressful enough without the added problem of extreme heat. And the problem is exacerbated by the fact that a trip might start out in acceptable temperatures, only to see those temperatures soar to unacceptable levels during the middle and end of the journey.

European law actually decrees that pigs cannot be transported if the temperature exceeds 30 degrees, a level easily exceeded inside a transporter.

The repercussions in terms of livestock discomfort, missed schedules, dramatically increased costs and reduced profits is immense, and impacting an industry that operates on tight margins.

So, what’s the answer? There are two choices. Firstly, stop transporting pigs for a large part of the year, which is not practical, or secondly, use a trailer which can offer meaningful cooling. And it’s not just a matter of just increasing air-flow inside the trailer. Only truly air-conditioned trailers offer the ability to bring down the inside temperature to acceptable levels.

Which is why we, the exclusive European distributors of the world’s first bacteria free pig transporter, are now offering another first, full air conditioning.

As MoveYourBrand, a market leader in driver-friendly and economical livestock semi-trailers, we have launched what we believe to be the world’s first bacteria free pig transporter with full air conditioning, meeting the rules on livestock transportation in hot conditions.

Our high animal welfare livestock trailers are all designed to comply with the Danish SPF (Specific Pathogen Free) System and are developed in conjunction with our partner ACORD. MoveYourBrand now offers its customers the opportunity to include air conditioning within the trailers’ extensive feature list.

Now for the first-time suppliers and haulers have the option to keep pigs moving throughout the whole year, in increased safety and comfort. We have handed back control to the pig industry, allowing it to meet stringent welfare standards and reach the full potential of their businesses.

Take time to look at the ultimate pig transporter.