Slaughter welfare for pigs depends critically on effective stunning before killing. CO2 and electrical stunning both have welfare implications that regulations and industry are addressing.
Pig slaughter welfare is one of the most high-stakes welfare events in animal agriculture - the moment when welfare failure is irreversible. The aversive properties of high CO2 stunning are well documented, yet it remains the most common industrial method. Inert gas alternatives exist and are commercially viable. The gap between available technology and industry adoption reflects regulatory and economic barriers to change.