How different pig stunning methods at slaughter compare in welfare outcomes and what improvements are most needed.
Pig slaughter welfare presents one of the most significant and tractable welfare improvement opportunities in the food system. The widespread use of CO2 stunning - despite scientific consensus that it causes pain and distress during the conscious phase before unconsciousness - represents a case where welfare science has not been translated into practice change at sufficient speed. The welfare-positive alternatives (non-aversive gas mixtures) exist but require capital investment in different stunning systems. Consumer and regulatory pressure for CO2 phase-out would accelerate the industry transition that would benefit the welfare of hundreds of millions of pigs annually at slaughter.