Livestock

Livestock End-of-Life Welfare and On-Farm Euthanasia

Ensuring a humane death for farm animals is as important as welfare throughout life.

Key Facts

Moribund animals may be too sick to transport legally
On-farm euthanasia by captive bolt or lethal injection prevents suffering during transport
Some farmers lack training or equipment for humane on-farm euthanasia
Emergency slaughter at farm can be arranged for animals unfit for transport

Welfare Considerations

Animals that are dying or severely injured must not be left to die unaided or transported in suffering merely to reach slaughter. Humane on-farm euthanasia is both a legal requirement and a moral imperative when an animal cannot recover or be transported without suffering. Ensuring farmers have training, equipment, and legal clarity to perform or access euthanasia is a critical end-of-life welfare improvement.

What You Can Do

Support training programmes for on-farm euthanasia for livestock producers
Advocate for clear legal guidance on when transport is prohibited for animal welfare reasons
Choose assurance-scheme products that include end-of-life welfare standards
Back research into the most humane on-farm euthanasia methods for each species