Opinion on carbon dioxide gas stunning of pigs and alternative methods

Animal Welfare Committee (AWC) opinion on the welfare impacts on pigs of high concentration CO2 gas stunning and of potential alternative stunning methods.

From:: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
Published: 16 October 2025

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Opinion on the welfare impacts on pigs of high concentration CO2 gas stunning and of potential alternative stunning methods

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This Opinion addresses鈥痶he evidence regarding the welfare impacts on pigs of high concentration carbon dioxide (CO₂) stunning as well as the evidence of welfare impacts on pigs of potential alternative stunning methods (for example inert gases, manual electrical, automated electrical).

鈥疶he Committee was also asked to assess and compare the welfare issues arising at different points in the slaughterhouse specific to different stunning approaches, for example during preslaughter handling and the effects of the stunning method itself.

The Animal Welfare Committee sent this opinion to government on 18 July 2025.

You can read more about the work of the聽Animal Welfare Committee.

Published 16 October 2025

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