Farm Animals

Cattle Welfare and Lairage Welfare at Slaughter

Lairage - the holding area before slaughter - is a critical welfare period for cattle, with animal-based indicators now used to assess lairage quality.

Key Facts

Cattle should be rested in lairage for at least 2 hours before slaughter to reduce stress
Mixing unfamiliar cattle in lairage causes aggression and injury
Noise levels in lairage significantly affect cattle stress responses
Water provision in lairage is mandatory under EU regulations
Lairage welfare indicators include vocalisation rates, falls, and tail position assessment

Welfare Considerations

Lairage welfare determines the final hours of a cattle's life. Adequate rest, familiar groupings, and low-stress handling are achievable standards that reduce this final suffering.

What You Can Do

Advocate for animal-based lairage welfare assessment requirements
Support training for slaughterhouse stockpeople in low-stress handling
Choose beef from slaughterhouses with documented lairage welfare protocols