DEFRA:
New plans to end carbon dioxide stunning of pigs to prevent suffering
Carbon dioxide stunning to be replaced with more available humane alternatives.
Plans should strengthen British pork industry resilience to global supply disruptions
Move welcomed by Animal Welfare Committee
Pigs will be spared unnecessary pain and distress before slaughter under new government plans to phase out the use of high-concentration carbon dioxide stunning.
New proposals set out today (26 October 2026) would see the pork industry move towards more humane methods of stunning pigs, helping to prevent animals experiencing panic and breathing difficulties before losing consciousness.
Pigs are highly sentient and intelligent animals, capable of experiencing pain and fear. Minimising distress during handling and slaughter is an important part of safeguarding their welfare.
High concentration carbon dioxide is widely used to stun pigs in British slaughterhouses, but independent evidence has highlighted serious concerns about the suffering it causes animals.
The government has now put forward proposals to replace the practice with more humane alternatives, such as argon gas and automated electrical stunning. Both methods are proven to substantially reduce animal suffering.
The plans form part of the government’s world leading animal welfare strategy, which sets out ambitions to improve the lives of farmed animals and ensure they are treated humanely throughout their lives, and at slaughter.
Farming Minister, Stephen Morgan said:
“We are a nation of animal lovers - pigs are intelligent animals that deserve to be treated with care and respect throughout their lives including at slaughter.
“The public want to know the meat they buy in the shops is produced in a way that supports high standards of animal welfare. These plans will help deliver that and reduce unnecessary suffering.
“We are committed to supporting farmers and businesses make this transition which will bring long-term benefits.”
Chair of the Animal Welfare Committee, Madeline Campbell said:
“It was the clear view of the Animal Welfare Committee that the continued use of high concentration CO2 when more humane, legally permitted alternatives are available is ethically unacceptable. The evidence-based argument for moving away from the use of high concentration CO2 on animal welfare grounds is incontrovertible.
“I hope that all stakeholders will now work together to overcome the acknowledged challenges for industry which such a move presents and deliver that change within a transition period which is as short as possible.”
The government has been working with pig processors, equipment manufacturers, gas suppliers and animal welfare organisations since April 2024 to examine the practicalities of introducing alternative measures and to ensure minimal impact of costs to consumers.
The consultation launched today will seek views on the proposals, including the welfare benefits, costs, feasibility and potential timescales for moving away from carbon dioxide, recognising businesses will need time to adapt.
The plans will also reduce the industry’s dependence on carbon dioxide supplies, which can be affected by international events. Concerns over potential shortages linked to conflict in the Middle East earlier this year highlighted the vulnerability of global gas supply chains.
The consultation is open from today and runs until 21 December 2026.
RSPCA:
RSPCA Assured welcomes support for farmers to transition to better welfare
The RSPCA has welcomed a UK Government commitment to end the gas killing of pigs for slaughter, a move which will improve the welfare of millions of pigs.
High-concentration carbon dioxide (CO2) is used to stun and kill 90% of pigs in the UK, causes distress and pain to millions of pigs every year.
The RSPCA has been campaigning to end the use of CO2 for many years with more than 22,000 people signing our petition in 2025 handed into the Prime Minister calling on the UK Government to rapidly end the use of in pig slaughter.
RSPCA Director of Advocacy and Prevention Thomas Schultz-Jagow said: "Every year, millions of pigs suffer distress and pain when slaughtered using CO2, so this is a critical welfare issue.
"No one wants to think about animals being slaughtered, but we cannot ignore how the food on our plates is produced, or we have no hope of progressing farmed animal welfare.
"Pigs are sentient and intelligent animals deserve a good quality life and a humane death.
"We welcome the government's commitment to end this slaughter method and we will work with them to drive this critical change forward to improve the welfare of pigs as soon as possible."
The UK Government's* own welfare advisory body, to phase out CO₂ more than 20 years ago and explore more humane alternatives.
Toby Baker, Executive Director of RSPCA Assured, the RSPCA's higher welfare food label and farm assurance scheme, said: "This is a really positive step forward for pig welfare, and we welcome the commitment to ending the use of CO₂ gas.
"We are pleased to see recognition that farmers must be supported with this change, and we urge the government to introduce a clear, practical phase-out plan that helps farmers transition to humane slaughter methods, so they aren't bearing the burden alone. We must work together for welfare."