PRESS RELEASE
26 October 2026
The Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation (CAWF) has welcomed the Government’s announcement of plans to phase out the use of high-concentration carbon dioxide (CO₂) stunning of pigs in British slaughterhouses, marking an important step forward for farm animal welfare.
The proposals, announced today, 26 October, would see the pork industry transition towards more humane stunning methods, including argon gas and automated electrical stunning, to reduce the pain and distress experienced by pigs before slaughter.
High-concentration CO₂ stunning has long raised serious animal welfare concerns, with evidence showing that pigs can experience significant respiratory distress, fear and discomfort before losing consciousness.
The Government has now launched a consultation on the proposed changes, which will run until 21 December 2026.
The announcement follows the publication of a research report by CAWF last year, authored by its Head of Research, Dr Steven McCulloch, a European Veterinary Specialist in Animal Welfare Science, Ethics and Law.
Entitled The Case Against High-Concentration CO₂ Stunning and Killing of Pigs, the report revealed the scale of suffering associated with the practice, which affects an estimated nine million pigs annually in England and Wales. Drawing on extensive scientific evidence, polling data and animal welfare legislation, the report highlighted how high-concentration CO₂ stunning can cause pigs extreme pain, breathlessness, panic and distress for up to 60 seconds before loss of consciousness.
The report called for an urgent phase-out of high-concentration CO₂ stunning and highlighted the availability of more humane, commercially viable alternatives, including inert gas stunning using argon and improved electrical stunning methods. Research undertaken through the European PigStun project demonstrated that existing CO₂ slaughterhouses could be adapted to use argon, offering a practical route towards improving welfare standards.
Lorraine Platt, Co-Founder of the Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation, said:
“We welcome the Government’s plans to phase out the use of high-concentration carbon dioxide stunning of pigs.
“Pigs are highly intelligent and sentient animals, capable of experiencing fear, pain and distress. It is vital that their welfare is protected at every stage of their lives, including at slaughter.
“Our own research has highlighted the scale of suffering caused by this practice, affecting millions of pigs every year, as well as the availability of more humane alternatives. We are pleased to see this important issue receiving the attention it deserves.
“This is a positive and important consultation, and we look forward to seeing these proposals progressed to ensure that unnecessary suffering is prevented.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
The Government’s consultation on phasing out high-concentration CO₂ stunning of pigs was launched on 26 October 2026 and will close on 21 December 2026.
Government announcement:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-plans-to-end-carbon-dioxide-stunning-of-pigs-to-prevent-suffering
About Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation (CAWF)
The Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation was established in 2016 to raise awareness on the lives of billions of animals reared on intensive farms around the world and how this impact upon animal welfare, the environment and people’s health. We want to highlight the action people can take to help advance farm animal welfare.
Animal welfare is an increasing concern amongst the public, who frequently look to Government to take the lead in both maintaining and improving standards.
The Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation believes it is highly important that the welfare of farm animals is placed at the forefront of the Governments plan for food and farming along with its focus on productivity, competitiveness, and technology.