The main objective of phase 1 of this project was to assess the effects of vehicle design on the pigs’
microenvironment during transport under various weather conditions, the behavioural responses of pigs
to these conditions, and the impact on carcass and meat quality. Overall, many of the differences that were found between the two vehicles may have been the result of the logistics (loading and unloading order) of this commercial study. Furthermore, differences in core body temperature and behaviour variations between and within vehicles were clearly influenced by the season.