News in Brief
CCTV to become mandatory in English slaughterhouses
Defra will take forward the plans that cover all areas where live animals are present with access to footage for Official Veterinarians (Ovs) and recordings retained for 90 days.
Legislation will come into force in the Spring and all slaughterhouses will be required to comply following an adjustment period of up to six months.
Heather Hancock, chairman of the Food Standards Agency, said it was a welcome step towards ensuring animal welfare and hygiene standards are met across the meat industry.
“Last year, the FSA Board concluded that, without mandatory CCTV in slaughterhouses, we would see minimal further progress in businesses improving animal welfare or complying with official controls to protect public health.
“We look forward to working with the industry as CCTV plans are implemented, and to seeing public confidence rise as a result.”
If breaches are found a slaughterhouse can be given a welfare enforcement notice, have its staff’s licences suspended or revoked or be referred for a criminal investigation.
A consultation on the plans received almost 4,000 responses.
“The reaction to this consultation highlights the strength of feeling among the public that all animals should be treated with the utmost respect at all stages of life and be subject to the highest possible welfare standards,” said Michael Gove, Environment Secretary.
“These strong measures also provide a further demonstration to consumers around the world that as we leave the EU we continue to produce our food to the very highest standards.”
