Welsh government consults on mandatory CCTV in abattoirs
© Tim Scrivener The Welsh government has opened a consultation on its proposals for compulsory CCTV in abattoirs as part of animal welfare plans set out in 2021.
Slaughterhouses in Wales would be required to have CCTV in areas where there are live animals, store the footage for a specific period of time, and allow enforcement agencies to access the footage.
The consultation includes questions on the government’s plans with regards to better animal welfare, greater enforcement and the cost to businesses.
See also: Mandatory slaughterhouse CCTV announced by Welsh government
Most slaughterhouses in Wales already have CCTV, but rural affairs minister Lesley Griffiths said the law change would ensure all are covered and support consumer confidence that welfare standards are being met.
“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,” Ms Griffiths said.
“We have committed to ensuring all slaughterhouses in Wales have CCTV, and I’m pleased to announce the consultation.”
The 12-week consultation closes on 6 February 2023. People can respond online, by email, or by post.
CCTV has been mandatory in England abattoirs since 2018, and in Scotland since 1 July 2021. The decision followed a similar consultation by the Scottish government in 2018, in which a vast majority of respondents backed the new measures.