The period of lairage and handling at abattoirs before slaughter is a critical welfare window where handling quality directly determines animal suffering before death.
Cattle in poorly designed or poorly managed lairage experience fear, injuries from slips on inadequate flooring, aggression from unfamiliar penmates and dehydration. Poor handling including excessive use of electric goads and shouting increases stress and adrenaline levels that compromise meat quality and represent significant welfare harm. Well-designed curved race systems, anti-slip flooring and low-stress handling training reduce welfare harms substantially. CCTV monitoring in UK abattoirs has proven effective in reducing violations.