UK Government Plans End Of CO2 Stunning For Pigs

An eight-week consultation has begun on phasing out CO2 stunning for pigs in the UK, marking a potential shift in animal welfare standards for the industry.

The UK government has launched an eight-week consultation on phasing out carbon dioxide stunning for pigs, a move supported by animal welfare groups but met with caution from the meat industry. The proposal would replace CO2 with alternatives such as argon gas or electrical stunning, citing evidence that the current method causes avoidable pain, respiratory distress and fear in pigs. The consultation, which runs until 21 December, follows a landmark report from the independent Animal Welfare Committee (AWC) that found “significant” evidence of suffering caused by high-concentration CO2. The AWC, chaired by Madeline Campbell, said the evidence for moving away from the practice on welfare grounds is “incontrovertible” and urged a transition within the shortest possible timeframe. The Farm Animal Welfare Council had already called for CO2 stunning to be phased out by 2007, over two decades ago. According to Compassion in World Farming (CIWF), CO2 stunning rose from 52% of pigs in 2013 to 90% in 2025. Anthony Field, head of CIWF UK, welcomed the consultation as “an important and long-awaited step towards improving pig welfare.” Laura Hellwig of Viva! also welcomed the move but warned that replacing one stunning method with another is “not the answer” if the goal is to end suffering. The government described pigs as “highly sentient and intelligent animals” capable of experiencing pain and fear. Defra has been working with processors, equipment manufacturers, gas suppliers and welfare organisations since April 2024 to assess alternatives. Farming minister Stephen Morgan said the plans reflect public expectations for high welfare standards and reduce “unnecessary suffering,” while supporting businesses through the transition. The government also cited recurring CO2 supply disruptions as a practical reason to reduce reliance on the gas. The National Pig Association (NPA) acknowledged the welfare concerns but warned that no commercially viable alternative has yet been proven to deliver improved welfare at scale. Katie Jarvis, NPA chief policy adviser, said trials have not revealed a feasible replacement that can operate at commercial volume without unintended consequences. The association is calling for more time to test alternatives, a full impact assessment, and consideration of competition from imported pork produced using CO2. Current costs are estimated at 42p per pig for CO2 stunning. Replacing it with argon gas could raise costs to £1.36–£1.49 per pig, while electrical stunning would cost around £1.11. AHDB analysis also flagged potential disruption to slaughter lines, slower processing speeds, and increased exposure to import competition. Defra argues that moving away from CO2 would reduce the industry’s vulnerability to gas supply shocks.

Read source: Plant Based News