Written questions

Pigs: Animal Welfare

2026-05-19 · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs · 3601 · Official question

Olly Glover

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to help tackle piglet thumping.

Answer

Piglet thumping (a manual percussive blow to the head) it is not a permitted method for stunning or killing piglets due to serious concerns about the welfare consequences. The Department is engaging with the industry to encourage use of alternative humane...