Slaughter methods vary enormously in welfare outcomes, and evidence-based standards for humane slaughter are the foundation of farm animal protection at end of life.
Slaughter welfare is one of the most impactful and tractable areas of farm animal welfare improvement. Effective stunning before killing eliminates the suffering of conscious slaughter entirely. Yet compliance with stunning requirements is variable, stunning equipment is often poorly maintained, and the pressure of high-throughput lines creates conditions where errors occur. Regular auditing using welfare indicators developed by researchers like Temple Grandin, combined with investment in equipment maintenance and training, can dramatically improve end-of-life welfare for billions of farm animals annually.