Farm Animal Welfare

Pig Welfare at Slaughter - Stunning Efficacy

Effective stunning at slaughter is the most important single intervention to prevent conscious pain in pigs during slaughter - monitoring is essential.

Key Facts

Electrical head-only stunning renders pigs unconscious in 1-2 seconds when correctly applied
CO2 stunning at high concentrations causes aversion and distress for 20-30 seconds
Captive bolt for pigs requires accurate positioning and appropriate cartridge
Post-stun unconsciousness must be verified before sticking
Official veterinary inspection at slaughter plants is a regulatory requirement

Welfare Considerations

Effective stunning eliminates the most acute welfare concern in pig slaughter. Monitoring, training, and equipment maintenance are not optional - failure to stun effectively causes conscious animals to experience slaughter.

What You Can Do

Support mandatory CCTV monitoring in slaughterhouses as a welfare and accountability measure
Advocate for improved CO2 stunning alternatives in regulatory reform
Choose welfare-certified pork products that audit slaughter welfare