CCTV to become mandatory in all slaughterhouses in England

The Environment Secretary Michael Gove said the proposals would “cement the UK’s position as a global leader on animal welfare” by giving the Food Standards Agency’s official veterinarians – those who monitor and enforce standards – unrestricted access to footage of all areas containing livestock.

Any breaches by a slaughterhouse can result in a welfare enforcement notice, the suspension or revocation of staff licences or referral for a criminal investigation. The Government also said it would raise standards for farm animals and domestic pets by updating statutory animal welfare codes to reflect advancements in medicines, technology and the latest research and advice from vets.

The first to be updated will cover chickens bred for meat, followed by laying hens, pigs, dogs, cats and horses over the next year.

Mr Gove said: “We have some of the highest animal welfare standards in the world.

“The actions I am setting out today will reinforce our status as a global leader.

“As we prepare to leave the EU, these measures provide a further demonstration to consumers around the world that our food is produced to the very highest standards.”

British Veterinary Association president Gudrun Ravetz said: “Mandatory CCTV in all areas of slaughterhouses will provide an essential tool in fostering a culture of compassion that could help safeguard animal welfare and we are particularly pleased to see a commitment to official veterinarians having unrestricted access to footage, which BVA has been calling for.

“Vets’ independence and unique qualifications help ensure that the UK will continue to have the highest standards of animal health, welfare and food safety.”

Food Standards Agency chairman Heather Hancock said: “Last year, we concluded that it was time to make CCTV compulsory in slaughterhouses, progress on voluntary adoption having plateaued.

“I and the board of the FSA warmly welcome Defra’s consultation about making CCTV mandatory.

“We look forward to the introduction of a comprehensive requirement for using, accessing and retaining footage from CCTV in abattoirs.

“We see CCTV as an invaluable management tool for business owners to help with compliance with official 
controls and to improve animal welfare standards across the industry.”

Under the proposals, CCTV would be mandatory in all areas of approved slaughterhouses in England where live animals are present, including where they are unloaded, kept, handled, stunned and killed.

Footage would then be accessible to the Food Standards Agency’s (FSA) Official Veterinarians (OVs) who monitor and enforce animal welfare standards in the slaughterhouse. 
The FSA has strict processes in place for the approval of slaughterhouses.

Specially trained official veterinarians carry out checks to ensure the welfare of animals is 
protected on arrival and throughout their time in the slaughterhouse.

If breaches are found, a slaughterhouse can be given a welfare enforcement notice, its staff’s licences could be suspended or revoked or it could be referred for a criminal investigation.