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	Podcast:		Farming Today
	Episode:		21/10/25 Welfare report on CO2 and the slaughter of pigs; producing cider
	Category:		Science & Medicine
	Duration:		00:13:46
	Publish Date:		2025-10-21 05:00:00
	Description:		An independent review of the way pigs are slaughtered has called for the use of carbon dioxide gassing to be prohibited, because it causes too much distress and pain to the animals. 90% of pigs reared in England and Wales are slaughtered this way. The report was carried out by the Animal Welfare Committee, an independent expert committee from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Scottish government and the Welsh government. It recommends that argon gas should be used instead. We speak to vet Dr Jane Downes, who led the Animal Welfare Committee at the time the report was prepared. We also speak to the National Pig Association. All week we're looking at beer and cider. One of the biggest cider producers in the UK, producing 65 million litres every year, is Westons, based in Herefordshire. The business started in 1880, and now works with 180 apple growers and orchard owners in Gloucestershire, Worcestershire and Herefordshire – the heart of apple country. We visit the production line. Presenter: Anna Hill Producer: Rebecca Rooney
	Total Play:		0