Farm animal slaughter

All farm animals deserve a humane end to their lives. We're working in a number of different ways to try to ensure this.

close-up of sheep chewing gate © RSPCA

Animals can be vulnerable at the time of slaughter. It's vital that they're treated properly and killed humanely. This includes being stunned correctly so that they remain unconscious and can't feel pain before being slaughtered.

There are concerns about slaughter without pre-stunning, which is carried out for religious purposes.

CCTV in slaughterhouses

Installing CCTV in abattoirs is a requirement of our own welfare standards for farm animals. From May 2018, CCTV is required in every slaughterhouse in England in all areas where live animals are present.

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