Search: Advanced search
Please enter a keyword or ID
When is carbon dioxide stunning used in abattoirs?
Carbon dioxide (CO2) stunning is used to make an animal unconscious just before slaughter. ‘Stunning’ is probably the wrong word as animals are not responding to a shock, which is the case with mechanical or electrical stunning methods. Rather, the animal gradually loses consciousness through exposure to the gas.
CO2 stunning, like all methods involved in humane slaughter, must meet the following criteria:
There have been welfare concerns about CO2 stunning because it irritates the respiratory tract. However, research has produced conflicting results with some showing pigs tolerate CO2 stunning and some showing they do not. A sample of test results show:
A variation on CO2 stunning is a controlled atmosphere chamber that contains a mixture of nitrogen, argon and CO2 gases but no oxygen. Controlled atmosphere stunning is used pre-slaughter in some poultry-processing plants and on some poultry farms for euthanasia. For example, when used for the euthanasia of spent hens, birds are unconscious within 20 seconds of being in the chamber. Argon and nitrogen are important for painless gassing, as using CO2 only may cause distress to the bird.
For further information, see: Model Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals: Livestock at Slaughtering Establishments
This website provides general information which must not be relied upon or regarded as a substitute for specific professional advice, including veterinary advice. We make no warranties that the website is accurate or suitable for a person's unique circumstances and provide the website on the basis that all persons accessing the website responsibly assess the relevance and accuracy of its content.