Animal welfare at slaughter
- Animal health
- Animal welfare
Summary
The European Union (EU) proposes to allow the use of a non-penetrative captive bolt under certain conditions for slaughtering piglets up to 5 kg, and for lambs and kid goats up to 4.5 kg. This method is also proposed to be used for simple stunning of these animals up to 10 kg.
Interested stakeholders can give feedback via the EU’s Have Your Say webpage until 8 April 2026.
EU proposes introducing captive bolt device for stunning and slaughter of piglets, lambs, and kid goats
Draft Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) amending Annex I to Council Regulation (EC) No 1099/2009 on the protection of animals at the time of killing as regards the authorisation of non-penetrative captive bolt stunning and nitrogen high expansion foam stunning [download]
Update
The European Union (EU) proposes to allow the use of a non-penetrative captive bolt under certain conditions for slaughtering piglets up to 5 kg, and for lambs and kid goats up to 4.5 kg. This method is also proposed to be used for simple stunning of these animals up to 10 kg.
Interested stakeholders can give feedback via the EU’s Have Your Say webpage until 8 April 2026.
Impacted Products
Piglets, lambs, kid goats
What is changing?
The European Commission proposes to allow the use of non-penetrative captive bolts for slaughtering of:
- piglets up to 5 kg
- lambs and kid goats up to 4.5 kg;
and for stunning before slaughter of:
- piglets between 5 and 10 kg
- lambs and kid goats between 4.5 and 10 kg.
The proposed Regulation sets specific requirements that ensure either death or loss of consciousness of the animal. In particular, it specifies the correct restraining and shooting position of the device on the head of the animal.
(The introduction of nitrogen high expansion foam, also included in this Regulation, is for situations other than slaughter and is not relevant for the food chain.)
Why?
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has concluded that a pneumatic, non-penetrative captive bolt is an effective method to slaughter or stun piglets (EFSA 2020) and lambs and kid goats (EFSA 2024). If powered to deliver a sufficient kinetic energy and applied in the correct position on the head of the animal, the method ensures a level of animal welfare during killing and slaughter at least equivalent to that of existing methods.
Timeline
The Regulation is likely to apply from the second quarter of 2026.
What are the major implications for exporting countries?
EU rules on animal welfare at the time of slaughter apply to meat imported into the EU. This proposal offers an additional method, ensuring a high level of animal welfare.
Recommended Actions
All interested stakeholders are invited to give feedback via the EU’s Have your say webpage until 8 April 2026.
Stakeholders wishing to respond must be registered. Those who do not already have an account will first need to Create an EU login account, then register their organisation on the EU Transparency register.
Background
Regulation 1099/2009 sets the EU’s requirements on protection of animals at the time of slaughter.
A non-penetrative captive bolt is already listed as a simple stunning method for use in ruminants up to 10 kg.
Resources
Council Regulation (EC) No 1099/2009 on the protection of animals at the time of killing
EFSA (2020) Welfare of pigs during killing for purposes other than slaughter. EFSA Journal, 18(7): e06195.
EFSA (2024) Welfare of sheep and goats during killing for purposes other than slaughter. EFSA Journal, 22(6): e8835.
Sources
Draft Commission Implementing Regulation on the protection of animals at the time of killing as regards the authorisation of non-penetrative captive bolt stunning and nitrogen high expansion foam stunning [download]
Disclaimer: Under no circumstances shall COLEAD be liable for any loss, damage, liability or expense incurred or suffered that is claimed to have resulted from the use of information available on this website or any link to external sites. The use of the website is at the user’s sole risk and responsibility. This information platform was created and maintained with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents do not, however, reflect the views of the European Union.
EU proposes introducing captive bolt device for stunning and slaughter of piglets, lambs, and kid goats
Draft Commission Implementing Regulation on the protection of animals at the time of killing as regards the authorisation of non-penetrative captive bolt stunning and nitrogen high expansion foam stunning [download]
What is changing and why?
The European Commission proposes to allow the use of non-penetrative captive bolts as a slaughtering method of:
- piglets up to 5 kg
- lambs and kid goats up to 4.5 kg;
and for stunning before slaughter of:
- piglets between 5 and 10 kg
- lambs and kid goats between 4.5 and 10 kg.
The proposed Regulation sets specific requirements that ensure either death or loss of consciousness of the animal. In particular, it specifies the correct restraining and shooting position of the device on the head of the animal for animal welfare reasons.
Actions
All interested stakeholders are invited to give feedback via the EU’s Have your say webpage until 8 April 2026.
Stakeholders wishing to respond must be registered. Those who do not already have an account will first need to Create an EU login account, then register their organisation on the EU Transparency register.
Timeline
The Regulation is likely to apply from the second quarter of 2026.
Disclaimer: Under no circumstances shall COLEAD be liable for any loss, damage, liability or expense incurred or suffered that is claimed to have resulted from the use of information available on this website or any link to external sites. The use of the website is at the user’s sole risk and responsibility. This information platform was created and maintained with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents do not, however, reflect the views of the European Union.