{ "type": "mediaitem", "identifier": "mediaitem_2004", "subtype": "wmammodularcontent_gkn_dossier", "title": "Pig stunning and bleeding", "navtitle": "", "url": "/en/eurcaw-pigs/dossier/pig-stunning-and-bleeding-dossier", "language": "en_US", "metadata" : { "id": 18589, "identifier": "mediaitem_2004", "contenttype": "wmammodularcontent_gkn_dossier", "contenttype_title": "contenttype_wmammodularcontent_gkn_dossier", "url": "/en/eurcaw-pigs/dossier/pig-stunning-and-bleeding-dossier", "title": "Pig stunning and bleeding", "lead": "Slaughter must legally spare animals any avoidable pain, distress or suffering. This implies that moving animals into the stunner and holding them there for the purpose of stunning must be done without causing undue fear and distress as may be shown by animals vocalising and trying to turn back or being reluctant to move. Stunning should apply proper electric current or CO2 concentrations such that animals rapidly lose consciousness and do not recover before they have been killed by bleeding.", "leadimage": { "source": "https://api.groenkennisnet.nl/upload_mm/b/8/e/2770_fullimage_head-to-body%20stunning%20%28_a.%20velarde_%20irta%29.jpg", "width": 1280, "height": 720, "focuspoint-x": 601, "focuspoint-y": 409, "alternative_text": "Head-to-body stunning - © A. Velarde, IRTA", "photographer": "© A. Velarde, IRTA", "photographer_hyperlink": "", "photo_license": "", "photo_license_hyperlink": "", "source_info": "", "source_info_hyperlink": "", "keywords": [ "head", "pigs", "stunning", "body", "pig" ] }, "publication_date": "2022-03-09T11:07+02:00", "lastmodified_date": "2025-09-15T12:08+02:00", "expiration_date": "", "tags": [ "Dossier", "gkn_eurcaw", "English" ], "copyright": "", "external_id": "", "item_metadata": { "contentsubtype": "Dossier", "theme": ["gkn_eurcaw"], "keywords": [], "video_header": "", "contactperson": { "title": "EURCAW-Pigs", "url": "/en/groenkennisnet/person/editors-eurcaw-pigs" }, "experts": [], "link_extra_image": "", "last_update": "" } }, "contents": [ { "area": "aboutthisdossier", "title": "About this dossier", "contentarea_template": { "id": "contenttemplate_dossier", "name": "contenttemplate_dossier"},"background": false,"contentarea_leadtext": "This dossier aims to help Competent Authorities and other stakeholders with issues related to welfare of pigs at the time of stunning and killing. The dossier is updated periodically by the EURCAW-Pigs team. The text is meant to support Competent Authorities, and is not legally binding.","image": { "source": "https://api.groenkennisnet.nl/upload/cdc6bd9a-2cd4-48c7-9a29-e810f53f62a9_1.jpg", "width": 1280, "height": 720, "focuspoint-x": -1, "focuspoint-y": -1, "alternative_text": "" }, "elements": [ { "type": "text", "html": "

The dossier is based on EURCAW-Pigs’ “Review on pig welfare in slaughterhouses around the time of stunning and bleeding<\/a>”. Three key areas relevant for pig welfare immediately related to stunning and killing are highlighted: (1) Handling, i.e. moving into the stunner and restraint for the purpose of stunning, (2) Stunning, i.e. electrical stunning and CO2<\/sub> stunning, for the purpose of rendering animals unconscious, and (3) bleeding, for the purpose of killing.<\/p>

Each EURCAW-Pigs dossier addresses the following 5 items: ‘Legislation', ‘Welfare indicators’, ‘Knowledge’, 'Inspiring examples' and 'Training courses'. <\/em>The dossier is updated periodically by the EURCAW-Pigs team.<\/em><\/p>

<\/em>Source photo: <\/em>©EURCAW-Pigs<\/em><\/sub><\/em><\/p>" } , { "identifier": "element_537717", "type": "modularcontent", "gkzindexmanual": { "title": "", "gkz_content_id": ["1029895"] } } ] }, { "area": "legislation", "title": "Legislation", "contentarea_template": { "id": "contenttemplate_dossier", "name": "contenttemplate_dossier"},"background": true,"contentarea_leadtext": "Council Regulation (EC) No 1099\/2009 regulates legal requirements for pigs at the time of killing. The regulation has been in force in the European Union since 2013, and determines the animal welfare conditions under which livestock should be handled and slaughtered. ","image": { "source": "https://api.groenkennisnet.nl/upload/cf894f6f-8c55-4408-a404-325f7a65cc72_819809_fullimage_istock-1455274164.jpg", "width": 1000, "height": 666, "focuspoint-x": -1, "focuspoint-y": -1, "alternative_text": "" }, "elements": [ { "type": "text", "html": "

Enforcement of Council Regulation (EC) No 1099/2009<\/strong>:<\/p>

The Member States provide mandatory guidelines for their competent authorities to ensure consistent enforcement of the Council Regulation and the national regulations. These guidelines are notified to the Commission. The Regulation addresses the business operator (BO) for assuring animal welfare in their slaughterhouses. The business operators shall apply guides of good practice developed by his/her own organisations to facilitate the implementation of the Council Regulation.<\/p>

EURCAW-Pigs’ “<\/em>Review on pig welfare in slaughterhouses at stunning and bleeding<\/a>” describes the requirements in more detail.<\/em><\/p>" } , { "identifier": "element_537720", "type": "modularcontent", "gkzindexmanual": { "title": "", "gkz_content_id": ["416278"] } } ] }, { "area": "knowledge", "title": "Knowledge", "contentarea_template": { "id": "contenttemplate_dossier", "name": "contenttemplate_dossier"},"background": false,"contentarea_leadtext": "During handling and moving towards the stunning area, pigs shall be handled according to their biology and to avoid pain and distress. This is because the latter results in pigs hesitating and halting, causing piling up, turning back, slipping or falling, and a suboptimal slaughter process. For each stage of the slaughter process, i.e. unloading from the vehicle, lairage, moving to the stunning area, stunning, possible hoisting, and debleeding, a specified SOP must be in place and applied. This is to be monitored by the Animal Welfare Officer.","image": { "source": "https://api.groenkennisnet.nl/upload/cd999602-b7e7-4dfc-9740-f4fd29b450d6_2.jpg", "width": 1280, "height": 720, "focuspoint-x": -1, "focuspoint-y": -1, "alternative_text": "" }, "elements": [ { "type": "text", "html": "

Guidance<\/h2>

In EURCAW-Pigs’ “Review of pig welfare in slaughterhouses at stunning and bleeding<\/a>”, suggestions for improved practices are provided to minimise welfare problems for each of three<\/ins> key areas relevant for pig welfare immediately related to stunning and killing: <\/p>

Handling prior to stunning<\/strong><\/p>

During handling and moving towards the stunning area, pigs shall be handled according to their biology and to avoid pain and distress:<\/p>