CCTV monitoring
UK has mandatory CCTV in all slaughterhouses since 2018, reducing violations. 25+ countries have adopted or are considering similar rules.
The Final Moments Matter
- 70B+: Land animals slaughtered annually.
- 1M+: USDA estimate of cattle improperly stunned each year in the US.
- Poultry: Shackle-and-hoist remains the dominant method globally.
CURRENT CONDITIONS
Stunning failures, high line speeds, and transport stress are pervasive across species.
Poultry stunning gaps
Electrical water bath stunning is often ineffective; birds arrive conscious to throat-cut, and an estimated 1-9B chickens may be conscious at slaughter globally.
CO2 stunning for pigs
High-concentration CO2 is aversive and distressing; pigs vocalize and struggle during exposure. Lower-stress alternatives exist but are rarely used.
Line speeds
USDA allows 140+ birds per minute; workers cannot properly check each animal, and injuries from high-speed handling are common.
Transport stress
Animals are transported for hours without food or water; extreme temperatures, trampling, and injury are common, especially for poultry.
THE SCIENCE
Scale and evidence show why reform at slaughter has urgent welfare impact.
70B+
Land animals slaughtered for food per year
1-9B
Birds possibly conscious at throat-cut (global estimate)
25+
Countries with CCTV in slaughterhouses requirements
3Rs
Replace, Reduce, Refine framework for humane slaughter
Progress Is Possible
Policy, corporate standards, and auditing can dramatically reduce suffering at slaughter.
Controlled atmosphere stunning (CAS)
Gas stunning with N2/Ar is less aversive for pigs. Whole Foods and Chipotle have required it from some suppliers.
Better stunning enforcement
Temple Grandin audit standards, USDA HMSA enforcement, and EU 1099/2009 regulations require competency certification.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Choose actions that reduce the number of animals and improve standards.
🌱 Reduce consumption
Fewer animals in the system means fewer animals exposed to slaughter conditions.
🏷️ Seek higher-welfare certified products
Look for RSPCA Assured or Global Animal Partnership (GAP) standards where available.
📢 Advocate for mandatory CCTV and CAS
Support policies and corporate commitments that expand monitoring and better stunning.
💰 Support corporate outreach
Back organizations pressuring companies to adopt higher standards.
The Humane League