Farm Animal Welfare

Pig Welfare and Slaughter Reform

Slaughter is among the most significant welfare events in a pig's life, and reform of slaughter methods and pre-slaughter handling can substantially reduce suffering.

Key Facts

CO2 stunning used for most pigs causes aversion and distress during induction
Electrical stunning when correctly applied can be rapid and effective
Pre-slaughter handling stress causes welfare problems and meat quality issues
Lairage design, group mixing, and noise levels all affect pre-slaughter welfare
Monitoring at slaughter plants reveals variable compliance with welfare standards

Welfare Considerations

Slaughter reform offers significant welfare gains. Investing in better stunning equipment, improved pre-slaughter handling, and robust monitoring can reduce suffering for billions of pigs annually.

What You Can Do

Support retailers with strong slaughter welfare requirements
Advocate for mandatory CCTV monitoring in slaughter plants
Choose higher-welfare certified products
Support organisations working on slaughter reform