Mandatory Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) recording in slaughterhouses

Overview

The purpose of this consultation is to seek views on a proposal for mandatory CCTV recording in slaughterhouses for animal welfare purposes, in line with the Government's manifesto commitment.

The objective of the proposal is to improve animal welfare in slaughterhouses and provide assurance that there is effective monitoring and verification of animal welfare standards in slaughterhouses.

The proposal relates to the mandatory installation of CCTV equipment in all areas of approved slaughterhouses where live animals are present, e.g. where they are unloaded, kept, handled, stunned and killed; and for authorised officers such as Official Veterinarians of the Food Standards Agency to have unfettered access to these facilities for the purpose of monitoring and verifying of animal welfare standards in the slaughterhouse.

The proposal outlined in this consultation relates solely to England as animal welfare policy is devolved. 

Anyone may respond to the consultation but we would particularly like to hear from organisations and individuals involved in and concerned with the slaughter of animals.  Those who will have an interest include the livestock and meat industries and extended food chain, animal welfare organisations, animal welfare enforcement bodies and the veterinary profession. 

What happens next

We will summarise all responses and place this summary on Citizen Space at: https://consult.defra.gov.uk/farm-animal-welfare/cctv-in-slaughterhouses.

This summary will include a list of names of organisations that responded but not people’s personal names, addresses or other contact details.