TRANSPORT OF EXTENSIVELY FARMED ANIMALS

Welfare problems caused by transport result from the response of the a nimals to the various stressors that impinge upon them during transpor t and lairage. The stress response depends on the animal's perception of an environmental challenge as being stressful and is subsequently a ffected by individual differences. Therefore, when looking at the effe cts of transport and making recommendations to safeguard the welfare o f animals, both the transport conditions and the type of animals being transported should be considered, Extensively farmed animals may pose a particular problem because the term 'extensive system' includes ver y different farming situations, resulting in animals that are likely t o be very diverse in their response to stressors. This is further comp licated by the great variety of breeds used in these systems, particul arly across different countries. In view of this problem, the importan ce of skilled and welfare-concerned stockpeople, handlers and drivers is greater than ever. Research on basic and methodological aspects rel ated to individual differences in response to stressors would give wel fare benefits in the long term.