In a statement, the NSPCA said it believes the abattoir’s method of ‘stunning’ pigs with carbon dioxide gas before slaughter is inhumane and a violation of the Animal Protection Act.
The process involves caged pigs being mechanically lowered into a pit filled with carbon dioxide gas. The pigs suffocate due to a lack of oxygen.
According to the NSPCA, this is the only red meat abattoir in SA which uses carbon dioxide gas pigs prior to slaughter.
The NSPCA said Enterprise Food trading had not addressed its concerns nor ceased using gas.