Subject: Slaughtering

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1734 of 16 July, 2026, 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

EU Commission

Published in 2026

Regulatory text from the EU authorizing two new methods of stunning prior to slaughter for additional categories of animals

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Category of animals: Bovines, Caprines, Ovines, Porcines

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Electrophysiologic evidence of loss of consciousness in cattle during slaughter with and without stunning: a systematic review and methodological overview

Haut SR, Parmentier T, Fisher RS, and Khalil NM

Published in 2026

A systematic review based on electrophysiological data concluded that in cattle slaughtered without stunning, loss of consciousness generally occurs rapidly, between approximately 4 and 13 seconds after the incision.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Bovines

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Comparative Effectiveness of Culling and Birth Control in Free-Roaming Animal Management: A Systematic Review

Anastassiya Perfilyeva, Olzhas Zhorayev, Kira Bespalova, Yuliya Perfilyeva

Published in 2026

A systematic review of the scientific literature on the management of stray animals, showing that euthanasia has limited and context-dependent effectiveness, whereas birth control, as part of integrated strategies, yields more consistent and sustainable results across all areas.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Canines, Felines

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Towards Bioethical and Functional Standards in the Slaughter Methods of Edible Insects: A Narrative Review

Sánchez-Velázquez, O.A., Hernández-Álvarez, A.J.

Published in 2026

Review highlighting that the methods used to slaughter insects intended for human consumption affect both their potential welfare and the nutritional quality of the products, but that current knowledge and standards remain very limited.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Invertebrates

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Exploring the relationship between whole carcass condemnations and farm animal welfare: A rapid scoping review

Christine Kuo, Emma G. Gardner, Murray Gillies, Marianne I. Parent

Published in 2026

Literature review showing that data on carcass rejection at abattoirs can serve as an indirect indicator of animal welfare, but studies remain largely European and focus primarily on poultry. Their main focus is on links between animal health status on farms and carcass rejection, whereas research on other welfare factors (diet, housing, behavior, transport) is limited.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Bovines, Caprines, Ovines, Porcines, Poultry

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The use of Diathermic Syncope® for stunning cattle – EFSA Opinion

EFSA Panel on Animal Health and Welfare (AHAW), Søren Saxmose Nielsen, Julio Alvarez, Anette Boklund, Sabine Dippel, Fernanda Dorea, Jordi Figuerola, Mette S. Herskin, Miguel Angel Miranda Chueca, Eleonora Nannoni, Romolo Nonno, Anja B. Riber, Karl Stahl, Jan Arend Stegeman, Hans-Hermann Thulke, Frank Tuyttens, Virginie Michel, Christoph Winckler, Mohan Raj, Antonio Velarde, Alexei Vyssotski, Yves Van der Stede, Aikaterini Manakidou

Published in 2026

New EFSA opinion concluding that the Diathermic Syncope® (DTS) method for stunning cattle does not guarantee a level of welfare equivalent to that of methods that are currently permitted.

Document Types: Opinions

Animal categories: Bovines

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Meat Industry Recommended Animal Handling Guidelines: A Systematic Approach to Animal Welfare at Transport and Slaughter

Meat Institute Animal Welfare Committee and Temple Grandin

Published in 2026

Good practice guide on the transport, handling and stunning of animals in the meat industry 

Document Types: Good practice guide

Animal categories:Cattle, Sheep, Pigs

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Animal Welfare Audit

Meat Institute Animal Welfare Committee and Temple Grandin

Published in 2026

Audit tool for the objective assessment of animal welfare in the meat industry during transport, holding, and slaughter

Document Types: Good practice guide

Animal categories:Cattle, Sheep, Pigs

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Impact of ‘hands-free’ rational handling on operational performance and economic losses in beef cattle

Daniela Costa Cotrim Campos, Adriane Lermen Zart, Claudio Vaz Di Mambro Ribeiro

Published in 2025

Scientific study showing that a cattle-handling protocol designed to reduce stress  significantly reduces bruising and loading times. Economic losses are also lower than those for conventional handling practices. The "hands-free" handling strategy improves operational efficiency without compromising carcass quality.

Document types: Scientific documents

Animal categories: Bovines

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Ensuring ethical beef production: A comprehensive risk assessment of animal welfare during transportation and slaughter processes

Piotr Janiszewski, Marco Misuraca, Egidia Costanzi, Beniamino Cenci Goga

Published in 2025

EFSA project seeking to produce an updated cattle handling pathway during transport and slaughter that would reduce stress, reliance on coercive devices and the risk of injury due to trama or falls. The project demonstrates how compliance with animal welfare standards can be harmonized with operational efficiency, safety, and product quality.

Document types: Technical Paper

Animal categories: Bovines

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