The final days and moments of farm animals lives are welfare-significant, with on-farm euthanasia practices and slaughter welfare representing critical interventions.
End-of-life welfare for livestock is determined by two sets of decisions: the quality of on-farm euthanasia for animals that cannot be transported, and slaughter welfare. On-farm euthanasia must be performed promptly when animals are suffering and with methods that cause rapid loss of consciousness. Allowing moribund animals to die slowly to avoid euthanasia costs causes preventable suffering and may constitute cruelty under welfare legislation.