NPA Team heads to Westminster to discuss all things CO2
2nd Nov 2026 / By Tom Haynes
Marking the launch of the government’s consultation on the use of CO2 in abattoirs, the NPA team, supported by PVS, held a drop-in session in Parliament last Monday afternoon for MPs and Peers to discuss the issue.
In addition to it forming a key part of the government’s Animal Welfare Strategy, we were conscious that many MPs had been receiving a substantial amount of constituency correspondence on the issue. As such we wanted to put on this session to give parliamentarians the chance to come and speak to the industry and understand a little more about the sector’s use of CO2 in abattoirs and plans to transition away from its use.
During the session we stressed the importance of a practical transition period, underpinned by a thorough commercial scale trial. As it currently stands the proposed transition timeline of 2-3 years is unworkable and will ultimately lead to a reduction in slaughtering capacity in the UK and a greater reliance on lower welfare imports from abroad.
Over the course of the afternoon, we had a number of really useful discussions with MPs and their teams, and the session proved instrumental in shaping the questions directed at the Farming Minister during the following day’s EFRA Committee session.
We would like to once again thank Josh Newbury (Lab, Cannock Chase) for hosting the drop in for us.
