Extreme temperatures prompted the FSA to activate its heat protocol during all eight amber or red alerts
A “very significant increase” in livestock arriving at slaughterhouses dead or suffering from heat stress was recorded during this summer’s extreme temperatures, according to the Food Standards Agency.
The finding appears in a new FSA report published on 14 September and provides some of the clearest official evidence yet of the welfare impact of the summer heat on animals entering the slaughter chain.
Separate FSA papers highlighted heat-stress concerns involving poultry and pigs during transport to slaughterhouses, although the regulator has not published a numerical breakdown showing how many animals were affected.
The agency activated its Extreme Weather Protocol during all eight amber or red heat alerts between May and August and has since strengthened reporting and intervention procedures with Defra and the Animal and Plant Health Agency.
The FSA enforces animal welfare requirements inside slaughterhouses, while on-farm and transport enforcement sits with other authorities, including APHA and local councils.
Its presence at slaughterhouses means official veterinarians and other staff can identify animals arriving with welfare problems and raise concerns where necessary.
Following the summer incidents, the FSA said it had extended reporting during amber heat alerts, prioritised all heat-stress cases and strengthened guidance for official veterinarians.
It is also seeking earlier intervention with livestock transporters where concerns are identified and improving industry awareness of measures intended to reduce heat-related welfare risks.
The FSA’s Business Committee said animal welfare during transport and on farms remained an area of significant concern following the prolonged hot weather.
High temperatures can increase welfare risks during transport, particularly where animals are confined for long periods or ventilation is limited.
Pigs and poultry are among the species particularly vulnerable to heat stress, while conditions can also become more difficult for other livestock during prolonged periods of high temperature and humidity.
The findings follow repeated warnings to farmers and hauliers during the summer about the risks posed by extreme heat.
However, the latest FSA evidence moves the issue beyond precautionary advice by showing that welfare problems were subsequently being detected when animals reached slaughterhouses.
The regulator has not published enough data to establish how many animals died or suffered heat stress, which species accounted for the majority of cases or whether particular regions were disproportionately affected.
That means the findings should not be interpreted as evidence of a specific nationwide mortality rate.
They do, however, show that extreme heat created measurable welfare concerns within the livestock supply chain.
The FSA said this summer’s experience had reinforced the need for stronger preparation when extreme weather warnings are issued.
Alongside Defra and APHA, it is reviewing how risks can be identified earlier and how interventions can be strengthened during periods of high temperatures.
Measures now include extended monitoring during amber heat alerts, stronger reporting of heat-stress incidents and earlier engagement with transporters where welfare concerns arise.
The findings are also likely to increase scrutiny of how livestock journeys are planned during periods of extreme heat, particularly around timing, ventilation, journey length and waiting times at slaughterhouses.
For farmers, hauliers and processors, the FSA report provides rare official evidence that this summer’s heat translated into serious welfare problems within the livestock supply chain.