Farm Animals

Farmed Pig Abattoir Design Welfare

Abattoir design significantly affects pig welfare through its influence on handling stress, stunning efficacy, and operational welfare management.

Key Facts

Well-designed lairage reduces pig stress through appropriate group holding
Curved race designs reduce pig stopping behaviour in races
CO2 stunning creates aversion before insensibility
Electrical stunning provides rapid insensibility when correctly applied
CCTV monitoring in pig abattoirs improves welfare compliance

Welfare Considerations

Abattoir design is a welfare determinant operating at every slaughter. Good lairage design, appropriate stunning systems, and CCTV monitoring create conditions for welfare-positive slaughter.

What You Can Do

Support mandatory CCTV in pig abattoirs with independent monitoring
Advocate for abattoir design standards including lairage welfare
Choose pork from producers with transparent slaughter welfare commitments