Pigs are stunned using a pistol pistol, stroke device, electricity electric or gases. In the case of the last option, this is CO2, which is associated with hemoglobin in the blood. It leads to a oxygen deficit that most harm to nerve cells. The EU project “Pigstun” aims to check if there are more humanitarian and technically feasible methods of stunning animals.
What is used to stun your pigs? 4 new methods are being considered
European Commission Testing four alternatives: Multi-PhaseBox, Hel, improved electrical stunning and modernization system using inert gas. The project is implemented by the University of Wageningen (WUR). Preliminary results were discussed on March 31, 2025 during the 16th meeting of the EU platform for animal welfare.
On April 4, a meeting was held in Brusselsin which the problem was intensively discussed and discussed on possible solutions. The above -mentioned methods were tested in slaughterhouses in Germany, Denmark, Spain and the Netherlands. The elimination of stunning with carbon dioxide is aimed at minimizing the level of pig stress.
What is stunning with carbon dioxide? It's like fast anesthesia
Stroke is assured that the pig is unconscious and cannot feel pain, suffering and stress. Animals are subjected to carbon dioxide in pits, tunnels, containers or in previously sealed buildings. – We want to determine whether there are feasible and effective alternatives for CO2 that could be used in industrial conditions. We are interested in both animal welfare and the reality of implementation in meat plants throughout the EU – explained the coordinator of research work Marijn Gerritsen, quoted by Topagrar.pl. One of the methods (the multi-phasebox system) still assumes the use of carbon dioxide, but in a modified form. Thanks to this, pigs are to be calmer. – We already have sufficient evidence that CO2 causes severe suffering. We need a schedule of moving away from this method – said Jo Swade, a representative of the Humane World for Animals organization.