In a promising development for the hundreds of millions of pigs, cows, sheep, and other farmed animals transported across the United States each year, a federal watchdog agency is calling on lawmakers to strengthen protections for these vulnerable beings.
Following a review of how federal agencies oversee the movement of farmed animals, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) identified several gaps in current law that may leave animals at risk during transit and recommended that Congress amend or pass legislation to address those issues.
Although the Twenty-Eight Hour law limits how long farmed animals can be transported without a break, the GAO’s report found that animal welfare during transit can also be affected by factors such as environmental conditions, animals’ fitness to travel, driver preparedness, vehicle safety, driving conditions, and sanitation.
In addition, the report revealed that federal agencies are not authorized under the law to monitor interstate farmed animal transport for compliance, while existing enforcement mechanisms may be too weak to ensure the law is consistently followed.
In fact, between 2013 and 2025, the U.S. Department of Agriculture referred just a single potential violation of the Twenty-Eight Hour Law to the Department of Justice, yet no enforcement action followed.
Farmed animals are often transported over long distances and for extended periods, during which they may be exposed to crowded conditions, extreme weather, poor ventilation, and limited access to food and water. Without adequate safeguards, they can suffer serious physical harm or even die.
Lady Freethinker is grateful to the GAO for highlighting these concerns and encourages Congress to take swift action to protect animals in transit. If you haven’t already, please sign our petition to help end the live export of farmed animals.
SIGN: End the Cruel Live Export of Farmed Animals Destined for Slaughter
