UK government plans to replace carbon dioxide with humane pig stunning methods

The British government proposed a plan to phase out high concentration carbon dioxide stunning for pigs in slaughterhouses.

These proposals aim to prevent animals from experiencing panic and breathing difficulties before they lose consciousness. The government plans to replace the current practice with more humane alternatives such as argon gas or automated electrical stunning. These methods are intended to reduce the distress of pigs, which the government describes as intelligent animals capable of feeling pain and fear.

The transition aims to align the pork industry with a strategy to improve the lives of farmed animals throughout their lives and at slaughter. Stephen Morgan, the Farming Minister, stated that the plans will help ensure meat produced in shops meets high animal welfare standards. The move also intends to reduce the industry's reliance on carbon dioxide supplies, which are vulnerable to international events and supply chain disruptions.

The Animal Welfare Committee chair, Madeline Campbell, stated that using carbon dioxide is ethically unacceptable when other legally permitted alternatives exist. The government began working with pig processors, equipment manufacturers, and gas suppliers in April 2024 to examine the practicalities of the change. A consultation on the welfare benefits, costs, and feasibility of the transition remains open until 21 December 2026.