Today (26 October) Compassion in World Farming welcomes the publication of a Government consultation on ending the cruel and inhumane use of CO₂ to slaughter pigs.

This method is currently used for 90% of pigs slaughtered in the UK, causing severe distress, pain and suffering. The Government pledged to consult on ending this slaughter method in its Animal Welfare Strategy (2025) and the consultation is the first step towards delivering this.

Anthony Field, Head of Compassion World Farming UK, said:

We warmly welcome the UK Government's consultation to end CO₂ slaughter for pigs. An important and long awaited step towards improving pig welfare.

CO₂ slaughter causes horrendous suffering for the 9 million pigs slaughtered every year using this cruel and outdated method. Pigs panic, struggle to escape and gasp for breath in agony as the gas burns their airways.

More humane alternatives exist, and we're optimistic that this will be an important first step to move towards them. The change cannot come soon enough. We hope the outcome of this consultation will be an ambitious timeline for phasing out cruel CO₂ slaughter for pigs.

The eight-week consultation process opens Monday 26 October and runs until 21 December.

To book an interview or for further information please email media.team@ciwf.org or call +44 (0)1483 521 615

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Notes to editors

Compassion in World Farming was founded in 1967 by a British dairy farmer who became horrified at the development of intensive factory farming. Today Compassion is the leading farm animal welfare organisation dedicated to ending factory farming and achieving humane and sustainable food. With headquarters in the UK, we have offices across Europe, in the US, China and South Africa.
The Government's consultation on phasing out CO₂ slaughter for pigs.
The Government’s Animal Welfare Strategy.

Compassion Welcomes Consultation on Ending CO2 Pig Slaughter