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.”
