Small Abattoirs Struggle with CCTV Compliance

The UK’s smallest abattoirs struggle to install CCTV and are currently facing an unprecedented crisis, STF claims.

22:40 17 December 2018

In May 2018, abattoirs in the United Kingdom were required to install CCTV cameras that the Food Standard Agency’s (FSA) Official Veterinarians (OVs) can use to monitor and enforce animal welfare standards. The Sustainable Food Trust (STF) said that the requirement has caused unprecedented crisis to the country’s smallest abattoirs.

 

Richard Young, SFT policy director said: “Animal welfare groups are not acting in the best interests of animal welfare in piling yet more pressure on the few remaining small abattoirs that have still to install CCTV.

 

“I fully understand their concern about the factory scale of the slaughtering industry and the abuses that have occurred, and it is clear that the Government is very sensitive to their demands.”

 

He added: “But they are actually helping to drive the last few small abattoirs out of business. These are small family-run businesses where animals are treated as individuals and do not have to endure long journeys.”

 

The SFT is urging the government to make grants available to help with the cost of installing CCTVs and additional structural improvements to save small abattoirs from going out of business.