While most slaughterhouses in Wales already have CCTV, this requirement would ensure all are cover in a bid to support consumer confidence that welfare standards are being delivered.
Requirements of slaughterhouse operators under consultation included:
- to have CCTV in areas where there are live animals
- to allow enforcement agencies to access footage
- to store footage for a specified period
‘Welfare a priority’
Minister for Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths said: “Animal welfare is a priority for the Welsh Government, and our ambition is for all farmed animals to have a good quality of life and to be free of suffering. We have committed to ensuring all slaughterhouses in Wales have CCTV, and I’m pleased to announce the consultation today.
“While the vast majority of slaughterhouses have CCTV in Wales, I want to ensure all animals have the same level of protection.”
The Farm Animal Welfare Committee recommended that all approved slaughterhouse operators should install CCTV in all areas where live animals are kept and where animals are stunned and killed.
Recommendations
It also recommended CCTV cameras should be installed so as to permit a clear and uninterrupted view of the processes being recorded at all times and that CCTV footage should be accessible to and viewed on a regular basis by slaughterhouse staff, Animal Welfare Officers and OVs to ensure business compliance.
However, it the Committee added that CCTV should not replace, reduce or be considered a substitute for current controls of slaughterhouse practice undertaken by OVs, Animal Welfare Officers, slaughter operators and others.
The consultation will run for 12 weeks and is available on the Welsh Government website.
Meanwhile, last month, Banham Poultry (2018) Ltd was fined £300,000 for failing to stop odour pollution from its slaughterhouse that affected the lives of people living and working in and near Attleborough, Norfolk.
