Slaughter welfare depends critically on effective stunning; failures cause preventable suffering at the end of animals lives.
Poorly executed slaughter is a significant source of preventable animal suffering. Inadequate stunning, misapplied captive bolts, and prolonged shackling before stunning all cause pain and distress. Mandatory CCTV in slaughterhouses improves compliance with welfare standards. Low-stress handling techniques before and during slaughter reduce fear and improve both welfare and meat quality.