The UK Government must deliver a promised consultation on pig slaughter methods, in a move which could improve the welfare of millions of pigs and end a 20 year-old welfare crisis.

That is the message from the RSPCA – who handed in a petition of more than 22,000 signatures to Downing Street in July last year, urging the UK Government to phase out high-concentration carbon dioxide (CO₂) gas for stunning and killing pigs in slaughterhouses.

The RSPCA is joined by welfare organisation Compassion in World Farming, to demand that the UK Government deliver the promised consultation.

CO₂ is an aversive gas that can cause pain, fear, and distress, with pigs seen gasping and convulsing before losing consciousness. A more humane method than high-concentration CO₂ is urgently required to reduce the suffering of millions of pigs.

But despite recommendations by the UK Government’s* own welfare advisory body, to phase out CO₂ more than 20 years ago, and a recent commitment to launch a consultation, the wait for pigs goes on. In fact, the use of CO₂ is increasing, now accounting for 90% of all pigs slaughtered in the UK.

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. It is therefore beyond disappointing that almost a year after we handed in a petition backed by 22,000 animal lovers to Downing Street, there has still been no consultation, timeline, planned support for farmers, or clear indication of when the UK Government intends to act on this vital animal welfare issue. We need to revolutionise pig welfare in England.”
At the end of 2025, the UK Government’s Animal Welfare Strategy for England included the commitment to address “welfare issues that arise from the use of carbon dioxide to stun pigs.”
Almost one year since the petition was handed in – and more than two decades on from advice from the UK Government’s own experts – farm animal welfare specialists continue to demand the UK Government take action urgently.

Animal lovers can back calls by emailing their local Member of Parliament, via the RSPCA’s website.

The RSPCA and Compassion in World Farming are calling on the UK Government to publish the promised consultation and for the pig industry to commit to moving away from the use of high concentration CO₂.

Thomas added: “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. CO₂ gassing of pigs is the reality that every single one of us who chooses to consume pork products must confront.”

Anthony Field, Head of UK, Compassion in World Farming said: “When high levels of CO₂ are used to kill pigs they panic, gasp, and try desperately to escape from the gas chamber for some time before being rendered unconscious. Their suffering is unimaginable and is confirmed by a wealth of scientific research. Over 20 years ago the Government’s own Animal Welfare Committee (AWC) recognised that high concentrations of CO2 used for slaughtering pigs have horrific animal welfare implications and recommended that this cruel method be phased out within five years.

“The vast majority of the public would be horrified if they knew that, almost two decades since that recommended phase-out deadline, 90% of the pigs that produce their bacon, pork and sausages are slaughtered in this way. It is imperative that the UK Government urgently bans the use of this inhumane slaughter method used to kill 9 million pigs every year, when other methods are available that cause significantly less suffering.”

In December, Ministers published the Animal Welfare Strategy for England, which also included proposals to regulate animal sanctuaries, stop irresponsible dog breeding, and end the use of cages for many farmed animals.

And following this year’s King’s Speech, the RSPCA has urged decision makers to ensure animal welfare “remains a priority” and publish clear timelines for delivery of the commitments contained within the Strategy.

A video from the RSPCA is available to explain the impact gassing has on pig welfare.