Transporters knowledge towards pre-slaughter logistic chain and occupational risks in Mexico: An integrative view with implications on sheep welfare

Abstract Using a survey, we aimed to investigate Mexican transporter knowledge towards pre-slaughter logistic chain and occupational risks and secondly, to quantify how transport can affect sheep welfare. We used univariate and multivariate statistics based on cluster analysis. According to a cluster analysis, the incidence of risks varied with the association between transport, pre-slaughter logistic operations and journey distance. Cluster 1 included long distance journeys (LDJ), cluster 2 medium distance journeys (MDJ) and cluster 3 short distance journeys (SDJ). In MDJ the collection points were quite varied compared to the LDJ and SDJ groups, which were always in the north or central regions, respectively. The LDJ group used pot-belly trailers or 10 ton (t) to 16 t lorries, the MDJ group preferably used 10 t to 16 t lorries and group SDJ used 3.5 lorries or pick-ups. Most of the accidents were grouped in SDJ, which also included transporters who smoked most and drank coffee as a countermeasure for sleepiness. The MDJ group loaded more animals at the farm, while the other two groups mostly collected animals at assembly centres or auction markets. Results suggest the existence of three types of journey distances, most of the road accidents were grouped in long distance journeys. It is critical for everyone engaged in welfare promotion along the pre-slaughter logistic chain to recognize the links between human well-being, animal welfare, and the environment, and to know that the way sheep are transported can have broader One-Welfare implications.