A plan to phase out the use of carbon dioxide for stunning pigs in abattoirs has been announced by the UK government.

At present, it is estimated that 90% of pigs in the UK are slaughtered using high-concentration carbon dioxide.

As part of a UK-wide consultation, the government wants to end the practice over a three-year period and move towards “more humane methods” of stunning pigs.

The main alternative is the use of argon gas, which is deemed to cause less respiratory irritation in pigs before slaughter.

Scrutiny

However, at Westminster on Tuesday, the proposals came under scrutiny when Farming Minister Stephen Morgan was questioned by a committee of MPs.

Liberal Democrat MP Alistair Carmichael said representatives from the pig sector have suggested there have not been enough trials carried out on argon gas.

“You are consulting on stuff that you haven’t properly trialled,” he said.

Morgan’s Labour Party colleague Josh Newbury was also critical: “America are looking to move to carbon dioxide. They are baffled that we are looking to move away from it, because the evidence base isn’t there.”