Farm Animals

Pig Slaughter Welfare Improvements

Pig slaughter welfare has improved significantly through better CO2 stunning systems and CCTV requirements, but significant welfare gaps remain in global supply chains.

Key Facts

Conventional CO2 stunning causes aversion in pigs due to the sensory irritation of CO2 gas
Low-oxygen/inert gas mixtures achieve unconsciousness with less aversion in research settings
CCTV in UK slaughterhouses has enabled detection of welfare violations not previously identified
Pre-slaughter lairage design affects stress levels and therefore slaughter welfare outcomes
Approximately 1.5 billion pigs are slaughtered globally each year, making slaughter welfare a priority at scale

Welfare Considerations

Pig slaughter welfare improvements are achievable but require investment and regulatory commitment. CCTV and inert gas stunning are the highest-impact near-term improvements available.

What You Can Do

Support mandatory CCTV requirements and independent audit of slaughterhouse welfare
Advocate for inert gas stunning systems to replace CO2 in pig abattoirs
Choose pork from certified higher-welfare supply chains with slaughter welfare monitoring