The welfare of animals at slaughter is one of the most important and regulated aspects of the food system, yet significant welfare problems persist in many facilities.
Animals that are not effectively stunned before slaughter regain consciousness during bleeding and experience severe pain and distress. Even with effective stunning, the handling and lairage conditions prior to slaughter affect welfare significantly. Improving slaughter welfare requires investment in equipment, training, and independent monitoring. Animal welfare officers at slaughterhouses are mandated in EU law and their presence correlates with better welfare outcomes.