How animals are slaughtered profoundly affects their welfare, with effective stunning, reduced pre-slaughter handling stress and rapid unconsciousness being key welfare priorities.
Slaughter represents the end of an animal's life but need not involve fear or pain if conducted correctly. The evidence base for effective stunning methods is strong, yet compliance failures, understaffing and production pressure mean that suffering at slaughter remains a real concern. Pre-slaughter handling in lairage — the time animals spend at the abattoir before slaughter — is often poorly managed and causes significant stress. Mandatory CCTV, trained welfare officers, and regular auditing are essential safeguards.