Farmed Pig Slaughter Welfare at Abattoir

Pig slaughter welfare is a critical endpoint welfare concern involving handling, stunning and killing of billions of animals annually in the UK and globally.

Key Facts

Approximately 10 million pigs are slaughtered in UK abattoirs annually
Electrical stunning renders pigs unconscious by passing electrical current through the brain
CO2 stunning in groups has replaced electrical stunning in many larger facilities
CO2 at high concentrations causes aversion in pigs during induction before unconsciousness
CCTV monitoring in slaughterhouses was made mandatory in England from 2018
Independent veterinary oversight at slaughter is legally required in UK facilities
Pre-slaughter handling including driving, loading and lairage affects stress and welfare
High kill line speeds can compromise welfare by reducing time for adequate handling

Welfare Considerations

Pig slaughter welfare involves multiple decision points from farm loading through to the killing process. CO2 stunning causes distress during induction as pigs resist entering the gas and experience aversion. Electrical stunning requires correct electrode placement and adequate current. Mandatory CCTV has improved accountability but enforcement varies. Pre-slaughter handling stress, while less visible, significantly affects the welfare experience leading up to stunning. The scale of pig slaughter means even small improvements in technique translate to enormous welfare benefits.

What You Can Do

Support CCTV monitoring requirements in all UK slaughterhouses
Advocate for independent welfare auditing beyond CCTV to include lairage and handling
Support Humane Slaughter Association work on stunning and slaughter best practice
Choose pork from farms and processors with demonstrated welfare auditing
Engage with retailers about their supplier slaughter welfare requirements