Recordings of online symposium on animal euthanasia available

The Swiss Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO), UFAW (the Universities Federation for Animal Welfare) and HSA (the Humane Slaughter Association) together organised the 3rd symposium on Humanely Ending the Life of Animals as a virtual meeting on November 3rd and 4th. Recordings of the sessions are available. This symposium continues a growing initiative to identify, refine and implement alternative methods to CO2 for humanely ending the life of mice, rats, poultry and pigs to improve animal welfare in the laboratory, the slaughterhouse and during emergency depopulation. Carbon dioxide is commonly used for stunning animals prior to killing. It allows several animals to be killed at once, reduces the need for handling, and is a reliable method. However, research in laboratory rodents, poultry, and pigs has indicated that it causes considerable aversion at concentrations above ambient conditions. Currently, there are no available alternatives with desirable characteristics.

More information: https://www.hsa.org.uk/news-events/fsvo-ufaw-hsa-online-symposium-a-humanely-ending-the-life-of-animals