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VION uses two forms of stunning in its abattoirs: electrical stunning and (individually) CO2 stunning (collectively).Both methods have been developed on the basis of many years’ international and independent research and they are now applied widely throughout Europe.
Both forms of stunning are both legally required and permitted.
In the case of electrical stunning, there is immediate loss of consciousness and in the case of CO2, this takes 10-20 seconds.
Transportation, housing and stunning are carried out in such a way as to minimise the stress levels of animals throughout the whole process.
Scientific research has shown that separating out pigs into groups for individual stunning leads to stress. For CO2 stunning, pigs in groups appear to suffer less stress.
Stress which is brought about by collective stunning (i.e. the time it takes for the animals to lose consciousness) is weighed up against the stress which occurs as a result of stunning them individually. Independent researchers support this.
On the basis of this information, both methods have been recognised and established legally by the EU. Use of both methods in European pig abattoirs is widespread.
VION closely monitors developments and ongoing scientific findings in this area. In so doing, VION constantly strives towards optimisation of its processes. Market-related and social developments form the basis to this.
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