Press statement: The National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) reports on our disturbing findings after investigating Pork Packers' (an Enterprise brand owned by Tiger Brands) method of "stunning" pigs prior to slaughter.. Shocking footage was obtained by personnel from the NSPCA's Farm Animal Protection Unit in August 2014 and again on 05 June 2015. Warrants had been granted by a Magistrate in 2014 and 2015 to enable full investigation of the method used to incapacitate pigs prior to slaughter at this abattoir. The process involves caged pigs being mechanically dropped into a pit (also known as a Gondola System) which is pre-filled with carbon dioxide (CO2). This gondola gas system is remotely managed by Butina, an offsite Danish company. After minutes of exposure to the CO2, the pigs suffocate as a result of the lack of oxygen. But until they lose consciousness the pigs experience panic-like symptoms. International exposés of this method of stunning pigs are well documented. This issue needs to be addressed urgently and directly. Tiger Brands was initially approached in 2014 and asked to take the lead by investing in research to identify the best method of gas stunning possible or to revert to the standard stunning method as prescribed by the Red Meat Regulations. They refused. Instead, Tiger Brands consulted with an international consultant as well as with the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) to review their operating systems. DAFF is the responsible body for issuing certificates to operate abattoirs legally. Information received by the NSPCA subsequently was that Tiger Brands' Kempton Park abattoir had allegedly improved its systems, claiming a reduction in the time the animals experienced suffering and aversion when exposed to the CO2 noxious gas. Obligated to verify the claim, the NSPCA endeavoured to witness the "upgraded" procedure but personnel were denied access. A Warrant had to be obtained to gain entry and witness the gassing of pigs. The NSPCA conducted independent research, consulted international experts and obtained a scientific report from a researcher based in the UK supporting the NSPCA's stance and position that the use of carbon dioxide is NOT the most humane way of "stunning" pigs to render them unconscious prior to slaughter. Substantiated evidence was obtained that this method is not only inhumane for pigs but is a poor welfare practice with regard to all mammals. Both sets of footage taken in 2014 and 2015 by the NSPCA reveal pigs screaming and trying to climb out of the pit in order to get oxygen. It was confirmed that the time it takes for the pigs to become unconscious can be up to 56 seconds. This is considered to be unnecessary suffering before death. "We didn't only focus on the problem but worked tirelessly to find a solution as our aim is to prevent animals from suffering," explained NSPCA Executive Director, Marcelle Meredith. The NSPCA proposed changing the gas in the pit from a noxious gas, such as CO2, to an inert gas like argon. Argon or a combination of argon and CO2 would render the animals unconscious without the stress and panic of suffocation. The NSPCA held several meetings with representatives from Tiger Brands (Pork Packers), Woolworths and the DAFF in an effort to remove the use of CO2 as a sole agent to stun pigs and to replace it with a more humane method. This proposal was submitted to Tiger Brands and Pork Packers and was rejected. Pork Packers is the only abattoir in South Africa to use gas commercially to "stun" animals for food production. The usual or standard practice in abattoirs is to stun the pigs electrically, rendering them unconscious immediately. As a result, the animal feels no pain. This is commonly known as the pre-stunning process and forms the basis of humane slaughter of all factory-farmed animals. The NSPCA admits and accepts that the manner in which animals are handled at some of the abattoirs in our country needs to improve and we have already instituted measures to address these concerns. This is an issue we are continually working on but must not detract from the matter at hand. We believe the public has a right to know in terms of the Consumer Protection Act and choose which brands they want to support.