Effective pre-slaughter stunning is a legal and ethical requirement for cattle in most countries. Stunning efficacy rates vary enormously between slaughterhouses, with poorly stunned animals potentially regaining consciousness.
Effective pre-slaughter stunning is the most critical welfare protection for cattle at slaughter. Even brief failures of stunning efficacy cause periods of conscious suffering that are entirely preventable. Regular equipment calibration, operator training, and independent audit are essential to maintaining high stunning standards.