Scope

This consultation relates to proposals applying to the whole of the UK. It is issued by Defra on behalf of the UK Government, the Welsh Government, the Scottish Government and the Northern Ireland Executive.

We are seeking views on our proposals to phase out the use of carbon dioxide gas stunning of pigs in slaughterhouses and knacker’s yards in the UK. The evidence that carbon dioxide gas stunning causes significant pain, suffering and distress to pigs at the time of killing is well known. There is now clear evidence that alternative permitted stunning methods, such as the use of inert gases, will significantly reduce these welfare issues for pigs. We believe that a ban on carbon dioxide stunning of pigs in slaughterhouses and knacker’s yards would result in a significant improvement to pig welfare at the time of killing, and that the transition away from carbon dioxide stunning should be managed in a way that allows the industry to make the necessary technological changes to convert current systems and maintain economic viability.

Audience
Anyone may respond to the consultation. Those who may have an interest include:

• academic institutions
• animal welfare organisations
• consumers / the general public
• farm assurance schemes
• farming organisations and trade bodies
• industrial gas companies
• pig producers
• pig processors & slaughterhouses
• retailers
• stunning equipment manufacturers
• veterinary profession

Responding to the consultation
This 8-week-long consultation starts on 26 October 2026 and closes on 21 December 2026. Any responses received after this date will not be analysed.

Please respond to this consultation using the Smart Survey consultation hub. If you are unable to use Smart Survey, you can download the consultation documents and return your response by email to aw.slaughter@defra.gov.uk or in writing to:

Carbon Dioxide Stunning of Pigs Consultation,

Farm Animal Welfare Team,

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs,

Seacole Building 2nd Floor,

2 Marsham Street,

London, SW1P 4DF.

Please note, any responses sent by post must have arrived at the above address by the closing date of the consultation (21 December 2026) to be counted. Any responses received after this date will not be analysed. To ensure your response is included in the analysis, please consider responding electronically, either online via Smart Survey or by email. 

We recognise that respondents may choose to use some standardised text to inform their response. Campaigns are when organisations (or individuals) coordinate responses across their membership or support base, often by suggesting a set of wording for respondents to use. Campaign responses are usually very similar or identical to each other. For this consultation, campaign responses may be analysed separately to other responses to ensure the breadth of views received can be summarised effectively and efficiently. All campaign responses will be taken into account in the final analysis of public views and campaigns help provide an indication of the strength of feeling on an issue. The preferred route for all respondents to provide their views (including where a response is based on a campaign) is via the Smart Survey consultation hub.

After the consultation 

We will summarise all responses once the consultation window is complete. This summary will include a list of names of organisations that respond but not people’s personal names, addresses or other contact details.