Pigs: Animal Welfare
2026-05-19 · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs · 3603 · Official question
Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many prosecutions have been made for piglet thumping in each of the last five years.
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...