Livestock haulers’ views about dairy cattle transport in Atlantic Canada

Increasing interest by stakeholders, including the public, in farm animal welfare has brought about recent changes to the Canadian livestock transport regulations that affected dairy cattle transport. We interviewed 7 livestock haulers in Atlantic Canada regarding their attitudes towards these recent changes. Our analyses of the conversations revealed the following 2 major themes: 1) issues relating to animal welfare and management on the dairy farm and during transport and, 2) the feasibility of transport requirements and the enforcement of the regulations, including animosity towards other haulers and the challenge of satisfying both regulatory bodies and farmer clientele.