Farm Animals

Farmed Animal Emergency Slaughter Welfare

Emergency slaughter of farm animals during disease outbreaks sometimes involves mass killing methods with poor welfare outcomes.

Key Facts

Foot and mouth disease outbreaks have led to mass slaughter of millions of animals
Some emergency culling methods including electrocution and ventilation shutdown cause suffering
CO2 is aversive before loss of consciousness in pigs at concentrations used in some culls
Pre-stunning before emergency slaughter significantly improves outcomes

Welfare Considerations

Emergency mass culling during disease outbreaks represents a worst-case welfare scenario where scale, speed, and logistics conflict with welfare requirements. Some emergency methods in use are associated with prolonged distress before death. Pre-approved welfare plans and properly trained personnel significantly improve outcomes.

What You Can Do

Advocate for pre-approved welfare plans for farm emergency culling protocols
Support investment in mobile CO2 and electrical stunning equipment for emergencies
Back research into rapid and welfare-compatible emergency culling methods
Advocate for stockperson training in emergency welfare techniques