Farmed Animals

Pig Welfare at Slaughter: Method and Monitoring

Pre-slaughter handling and stunning method significantly affect pig welfare at end of life, with CO2 stunning being a welfare concern requiring industry action.

Key Facts

CO2 stunning is used for 80-90% of pigs slaughtered in the UK and EU
CO2 causes aversive experiences including breathlessness and anxiety before unconsciousness
High-current electrical stunning can render pigs immediately unconscious when correctly applied
CCTV monitoring in pig slaughterhouses is now mandatory in the UK following welfare incidents

Welfare Considerations

CO2 stunning is the industry standard because it is practical at scale but causes distress during the induction period when CO2 concentration rises. Pigs show avoidance, vocalization, and distress signs for 15-30 seconds before unconsciousness. Inert gas systems using argon or nitrogen achieve unconsciousness without the aversion but require higher capital investment.

What You Can Do

Advocate for investment in inert gas stunning systems as higher-welfare alternatives to CO2
Support mandatory CCTV in all pig slaughterhouses with independent access
Ask pork brands about their slaughter monitoring requirements and stunning methods
Choose pork from certified schemes with welfare requirements at slaughter stage