The humane slaughter of pigs in the EU

Abstract

This dissertation explores the different slaughter methods considered humane, which are used and required by law to kill pigs raised for human consumption in the European Union. The main points covered are - the methods required by current EU Regulation 1099/2009 on the protection of animals at the time of killing which include; electrical stunning (head-only and head-body) and gas stunning (carbon dioxide gas and inert gas mixtures). The advantages and disadvantages of these methods are discussed, using results found online from studies and research conducted on the topic, including a list of other methods studied which are not permitted by law but are being looked into and possibly developed as potential alternative stunning methods. The enforcement of this Regulation and the surrounding issues is also touched upon towards the end of the dissertation. In the conclusion, the question of whether any of these methods can be considered truly humane is explored, based on the true definition of the word humane and the results of the studies discussed.

Keywords

• pigs
• human consumption
• slaughter methods
• electrical stunning
• gas stunning