Slaughterhouses to comply by CCTV

Slaughterhouses in England to install CCTV to ensure compliance with official controls and improve animal welfare standards across the industry.

12:06 26 September 2017

Slaughterhouses in England are mandated by the government to install CCTV to further improve animal welfare standards across the industry. Under rules being phased in over the next year, Food Standards Agency (FSA) vets will be able to ask to see footage of all areas where livestock are held. Any violations can lead to a criminal investigation or losing staff licences. 

 

Environment Secretary Michael Gove said: "We have some of the highest animal welfare standards in the world and 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."

 

FSA chairwoman Heather Hancock fully support the plans. She said: "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."