UK Opens Consultation on Phasing Out Carbon Dioxide Stunning of Pigs

The United Kingdom has opened a consultation on proposals to phase out the use of high-concentration carbon dioxide to stun pigs before slaughter, citing evidence that the method causes pain, fear and breathing distress before animals lose consciousness. The consultation began on October 26 and will remain open until December 21, 2026.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said the proposals would move the industry toward alternative stunning methods, including argon gas and automated electrical systems. The government has not yet enacted a ban or set a binding deadline for businesses to replace existing equipment. It is seeking evidence on the welfare benefits, costs, technical feasibility and length of a possible transition.

High-concentration carbon dioxide systems are common in commercial pig processing. The government's announcement refers to an assessment by the Animal Welfare Committee, which concluded that continuing to use the method raises serious welfare concerns when alternatives are available. The committee's findings informed the consultation; they are not a new study released on Monday.

Changing the equipment would also have operational consequences. Slaughterhouses may need to modify production lines, retrain workers and manage installation costs. Ministers said they have been speaking with processors, gas suppliers, manufacturers and welfare organisations about potential alternatives and how to limit disruption to producers and consumers.

The consultation is being conducted jointly across the UK's administrations, with the Welsh government also publishing details of the exercise. Officials are asking stakeholders to comment on possible transition periods before any prohibition takes effect. The final timetable and choice of replacement systems will depend on the policy process and further decisions.

The government also argues that reducing reliance on carbon dioxide could make the sector less vulnerable to interruptions in industrial gas supplies. For now, the immediate policy change is the opening of the consultation, not a change in the law governing slaughterhouses.