New plans to end carbon dioxide stunning of pigs to prevent suffering
What was announced
Carbon dioxide stunning to be replaced with more available humane alternatives
Key points, in the publisher's words
- 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.
Who and where
People
- Stephen Morgan (MP for Portsmouth South (Labour)) · more news
UK bodies of power
- Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (UK government department) · more news
Constituencies of the MPs named: Portsmouth South.
Where this sits in the 10 levels of power
Topics, as GOV.UK files them: Animal welfare.
Receipt
- Original: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-plans-to-end-carbon-dioxide-stunning-of-pigs-to-prevent-suffering
- Published 2026-10-26 00:01:05 UTC
- Read by this site 2026-10-26 00:15:13 UTC from GOV.UK
- Saved copy: receipt 2053, with its SHA-256 fingerprint
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
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