The independent Animal Welfare Committee (AWC) has released a report calling for the phasing out of CO2 stunning for farmed pigs within five years in the UK. The report cites evidence of pigs experiencing avoidable pain and fear before death due to CO2 exposure, leading to vocalizations, hyperventilation, and escape attempts while still conscious.

The report recommends minimizing physical coercion, slowing slaughter volume and speed, utilizing new technologies, and requiring more training and qualifications to improve animal welfare in the meat industry. Despite pushback from some parts of the pig farming industry, the AWC findings suggest that the use of CO2 stunning poses significant welfare concerns for pigs and calls for immediate action to update practices and work on alternatives.