Mid-May marked the one-year anniversary of a rulemaking petition filed by AWI and allies asking the US Department of Agriculture to require the installation of cameras inside metal cages used to lower pigs into CO2 gas stunning chambers (the most common slaughter method for pigs). Such a requirement is necessary to enable inspectors to monitor the gassing of pigs to determine whether it is humane, as mandated by the Federal Meat Inspection Act and the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act.
AWI has yet to hear from the USDA on the petition, but in recent months, there have been encouraging developments on this issue in other countries. In the United Kingdom, the documentary Pignorant revealed rare, undercover footage of pigs screaming and panicking as they were lowered into a CO2 pit and began to experience the effects of the gas.
In Australia, following a similar undercover investigation, two major slaughter plants were investigated by meat industry regulators. One permanently ceased operations and was required to acknowledge its legal violations and pay regulators’ costs to avoid criminal charges. The other was forced to make operational changes in order to remain in business. In addition, the Australian Meat Industry Council announced that, by 2026, all slaughter plants certified under the industry’s welfare certification standards must install video monitors that film livestock handling from the moment animals arrive at a facility until the point of slaughter.