The hours before slaughter involve some of the highest welfare risks for livestock. Pre-slaughter stress affects both animal welfare and meat quality, making improvements in this phase beneficial on multiple grounds.
Pre-slaughter welfare is the final welfare opportunity for animals in the food system. Animals arriving at slaughter facilities may have already experienced transport stress; what happens in lairage and at the point of slaughter determines their final experience. Effective stunning that renders animals immediately unconscious before killing is the central welfare requirement. CO2 stunning of pigs has come under significant welfare criticism because the high concentrations required cause distress before unconsciousness. Alternative stunning methods including electrical and nitrogen-based approaches are being evaluated. Consumer and regulatory pressure for effective stunning is a meaningful welfare lever.