Livestock

Pig Slaughter Welfare 2025: Policy, Practice, and Science

2025 welfare update on pig slaughter -- current practices, scientific evidence, and policy developments.

Key Facts

Pig slaughter welfare in the UK is regulated by the Welfare of Animals at the Time of Killing (WATOK) regulations
CO2 stunning remains the dominant method in UK pig slaughter despite ongoing welfare concerns
CO2 is aversive to pigs -- exposure causes panic, head shaking, and vocalisation before unconsciousness
Alternative gas mixtures (inert gas stunning) cause less aversion but face cost and infrastructure barriers
Controlled atmosphere systems using nitrogen or argon are more welfare-friendly than CO2 but less widely adopted
2025 Animal Welfare Committee review has examined CO2 stunning evidence but no regulatory change has been announced
Pre-slaughter handling welfare -- lairage, stunning pen design, and stockperson behaviour -- significantly affects welfare
The welfare case for phasing out CO2 stunning is strong -- continued reliance on it is an industry choice not a technical necessity

Welfare Significance

Pig slaughter welfare in 2025 is characterised by a persistent gap between welfare science and industry practice. The evidence that CO2 stunning causes significant distress is clear and widely accepted. The infrastructure and economic barriers to change are real but not insurmountable. Consumer and retailer pressure for higher-welfare slaughter methods is the most direct mechanism for driving change.

What You Can Do

Choose pork from producers certified to use inert gas or alternative stunning methods where available
Advocate to retailers about CO2 stunning welfare concerns and request supply chain commitments to transition
Support the RSPCA and animal welfare organisations lobbying for CO2 stunning phase-out regulation
Engage with consultation processes when the WATOK regulations are next reviewed