Farm Animal Welfare

Pig CO2 Stunning Welfare Debate

CO2 stunning for pigs is widely used but controversial because pigs show aversive responses during induction, raising welfare questions.

Key Facts

CO2 stunning is used for 90%+ of commercial pig slaughter in many EU countries
Pigs show clear aversive behavioral responses including vocalizations during CO2 induction
Argon and argon-CO2 mixtures cause unconsciousness faster with less aversion
Electrical stunning can be effective but requires individual animal handling
EFSA has concluded CO2 stunning causes significant suffering during induction

Welfare Considerations

CO2 stunning causes a period of distress before unconsciousness in pigs who are aware of the aversive atmosphere. This is a welfare compromise accepted for operational practicality. Research into alternative gases and induction systems is both needed and ongoing.

What You Can Do

Support research into alternatives to CO2 stunning for pigs
Advocate for high-concentration CO2 or alternative gases to minimize induction time
Choose pork from certified farms using the most humane available stunning methods