In the review "Pig welfare in slaughterhouses at stunning and bleeding", the following three relevant key areas and corresponding animal welfare indicators are described to assess pig welfare in the stunning and bleeding process:

Handling: Moving animals into the stunner and holding them there for the purpose of stunning must be done without causing undue fear and distress as may be shown by animals vocalising and trying to turn back or being reluctant to move.
Stunning: Stunning should apply proper electric current or CO₂concentrations such that animals rapidly lose consciousness and do not recover before they have been killed by bleeding. The review will not deal with mechanical stunning methods, such as the penetrative captive bolt or with emergency stunning or killing practices.
Bleeding: Operators must carefully watch for signs of recovery throughout the process following stunning and perform re-stunning immediately when there is any reason for doubt such as righting responses, vocalisation, breathing movements, or responses to pain or touch (e.g. palpebral and corneal reflex).

Additionally, the review addresses the underlying scientific knowledge, how to minimise welfare problems and facilitate improved practices, as well as the underlying legal requirements.

Official inspectors and experts from member states are invited to contact EURCAW-Pigs info.pigs@eurcaw.eu with any suggestions, comments or questions to further improve this review.

Welfare of pigs being handled, stunned and bled in the slaughterhouse

Onderwerp

Welfare during slaughter and killing