Stunning of pigs with high-concentration carbon dioxide

Question for written answer E-000625/2026
to the Commission
Rule 144
Thomas Waitz (Verts/ALE)

The stunning of pigs with high-concentration carbon dioxide (CO₂), authorised under Annex I of Regulation (EC) No 1099/2009, is widely documented to cause severe respiratory distress, hyperventilation and aversion before loss of consciousness, resulting in significant animal suffering.

In its reply to Written Question E-003066/2025[1], the Commission stated that the PigStun project identified several viable alternative stunning methods (including improved electrical stunning, inert gas systems and enhanced protocols), and that all these alternatives are already included in the positive list of authorised stunning methods in Annex I of Regulation (EC) No 1099/2009.

• 1.Given that the Commission now acknowledges that viable and authorised alternatives exist, does it still consider the stunning of pigs with high-concentration CO₂ to be compatible with Article 13 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and the objective of minimising pain, distress and suffering at the time of killing?
• 2.Does the Commission intend to propose a revision of Regulation (EC) No 1099/2009 or Annex I therein to phase out or prohibit the use of high-concentration CO₂ for the stunning of pigs?
• 3.If so, what timetable does the Commission envisage for such a phase-out, and what accompanying measures (e.g. transitional periods, support for operators) does it envisage?

Submitted: 12.2.2026

• [1] https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-10-2025-003066_EN.html