The practice of using carbon dioxide (CO2) to slaughter pigs and chickens is one that causes substantial animal distress.
CO2 gas, upon inhalation, creates a burning sensation in the animals, resulting in an inhumane end of life that can last at least four or five minutes. 

As long ago as 2003, the Government’s Farm Animal Welfare Council concluded that the use of high concentrations of CO2 to stun and kill pigs was not acceptable and urged the practice to be phased out in five years yet this has been ignored by both government and industry. Why? Because it’s cheaper to use CO2 than other more humane methods such as well-designed electrical stunning systems.

The UK government has recognised the need for alternatives, setting a cut-off date of 1 January 2026 to ban the use of high levels of CO2 for slaughter.

However, waiting until 2026 means millions of animals will continue to suffer in their final moments. The number of British pigs slaughtered by this inhumane method has even increased, from 52% in 2013 to 88% today.

The UK is known for its high standards of animal welfare, becoming one of the first countries to acknowledge animal sentience in law. Yet, the continuing use of such gases in slaughterhouses contradicts this hard-earned reputation. Immediate action is needed to maintain these ethical standards and to commit to ending unnecessary animal suffering.

We therefore call upon the UK government to urgently revise the timeline, banning the use of CO2 in animal slaughter with immediate effect, instead of waiting until 2026.

We’re not vegan. We’re not even vegetarian. We just want this barbaric practice to stop, now. 

Please sign this petition to help accelerate the change in this inhumane practice and protect the well-being of millions of animals.