Humane Slaughter Association

The HSA is a UK-based, independent Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) dedicated to promoting the use of humane methods for the transport and killing of farmed animals through research and education. We play a vital role in improving the welfare of animals during transport, marketing, slaughter and killing for welfare reasons and disease control.

Practical and international
We are dedicated to bringing practical and lasting improvements to the welfare of food animals around the world. The HSA works with the meat and livestock industry and animal welfare scientists globally to deliver training and advice. Our courses range from practical, hands-on training in slaughter and emergency killing methods, to tailored lectures and classroom-based training (hsa.org.uk/training-education). We also produce guidance documents that align with the latest best practice and legislation, many of which are free to download from our website (hsa.org.uk/publications).

The Pig Issue
We provide research funding for projects aimed at improving animal welfare beyond the farm gate. In collaboration with Defra, we recently funded a project to look for a humane alternative to stunning pigs with carbon dioxide in commercial abattoirs. Low Atmospheric Pressure Stunning (LAPS) was seen as a potentially more humane method than the high concentrations of carbon dioxide currently used, but our research found that LAPS is unlikely to be a humane alternative. Whilst disappointing, this provides crucial evidence to protect the welfare of pigs at slaughter and to shift the focus of future research to find other potential improvements.

Providing expert independent advice
We work with governments and other organisations to provide feedback on legislation and guidelines concerning the transport and slaughter of animals. In 2021, we provided advice on potential handling and lairage systems to be used in conjunction with a mobile, or pop up, abattoir operated by Fir Farm Ltd and based in the Cotswolds, UK. We also wrote a letter of support highlighting the animal welfare advantages associated with shorter journey times and smaller throughputs. More recently, we provided feedback to Defra on their initial list of items to be included in the Smaller Abattoir Fund.

Find out more
To find out more or to support our work, visit our www.hsa.org.uk, email info@hsa.org.uk or call +44 (0) 1582 831919.

The Pig Guide, 4 Barleythorpe Mews, Main Road, Barleythorpe, Oakham, Rutland, LE15 7UZ Tel: 01572 757600. ~ email: bc@pig-guide.com