Defra will take the plans forward following an extremely positive reaction from the industry, welfare groups and the public.
In August, the Secretary of State
launched a consultation on the plans to deliver a manifesto commitment for CCTV to be required in every slaughterhouse in England in all areas where live animals are present, with unrestricted access to footage for Official Veterinarians - reassuring consumers that high welfare standards are being effectively enforced.
Legislation will be introduced in the New Year, coming into force in the Spring. All slaughterhouses will be required to comply following an adjustment period of up to six months.
A summary of responses published today (Sunday) shows that of almost 4,000 respondents, more than 99% were supportive of the plans.
Environment Secretary Michael Gove said:
We have some of the highest animal welfare standards in the world and want to cement our status as a global leader by continuing to raise the bar.
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.
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.
Having carefully considered all of the responses, the Government agrees with the overwhelming proportion of respondents that were in favour of mandatory CCTV to protect animal welfare in slaughterhouses. The proposals will also give the Food Standards Agency's (FSA) Official Veterinarians (OVs) unfettered access to the last 90 days of footage to help them monitor and enforce animal welfare standards.
The RSPCA's Head of Public Affairs David Bowles said:
This is a very welcome and crucial step towards introducing higher welfare right across the food chain.
We applaud the Secretary of State for his steadfast and focused commitment to ensuring the highest possible animal welfare standards in the UK once we have left the EU.
The RSPCA looks forward to seeing the details of the proposal as issues such as where the cameras will be located, footage quality and storage, and who can have access to it are essential to making the legislation meaningful.
British Veterinary Association Senior Vice President Gudrun Ravetz said:
The mandatory installation of CCTV is a vital tool to ensure high standards of animal health, welfare and food safety in all slaughterhouses.
Official Veterinarians carry out an essential role in slaughterhouses by independently assessing and reporting breaches of animal welfare, and unrestricted access to CCTV footage will allow them to carry out this role even more effectively.
We have been campaigning for these measures for a number of years and it is reassuring to see such a high level of support for their implementation from industry and the public.
Heather Hancock, Chairman of the Food Standards Agency, said:
The Secretary of State's decision to require CCTV in all slaughterhouses is a welcome step towards ensuring that 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.
The government will now further discuss the details of bringing in the proposals and present draft legislation to Parliament as soon as Parliamentary time allows.
From:
Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, Food Standards Agency, Animal and Plant Health Agency, and The Rt Hon Michael Gove MP
Part of:
Animal and plant health and Animal welfare
Published:
12 November 2017
Tor Bailey, wants further action
 We are pleased to be able to write to you with some good news! After eight years of Animal Aid campaigning for mandatory CCTV in slaughterhouses, the government has now announced it will introduce legislation in the new year.
CCTV is a crucial measure to deter and detect the widespread abuse of farmed animals at slaughter, and we would like to thank everyone who has supported the campaign by signing petitions, writing to their MP, lobbying supermarkets, contacting newspapers, donating, sharing our investigations on social media, and completing the recent government consultation. All of you share in this success, and we are truly grateful.
The details of the planned legislation are promising: it will relate to all English slaughterhouses, which will have six months to comply. Importantly, slaughterhouse vets will have full and unrestricted access to the footage. We are encouraged by this approach and yet believe that a proper system of independent monitoring is still needed, and we will continue to push for this more thorough regulation. We will also continue the campaign in Wales and Northern Ireland, and in Scotland where, together with Onekind and local campaigners, we recently addressed MSPs at the Scottish Parliament. People in Scotland may like to sign and share the petition to support the campaign there.
While we are heartened that this new law will crack down on the wanton abuse of animals in slaughterhouses, we know it can never end their suffering. Even when conducted by the letter of the law, animals in slaughterhouses still suffer unbearable distress and fear, and often pain, too. There is no humane way to kill an animal who does not want to die. That's why we encourage anyone who cares about animals to go vegan. It's not too late to sign up to take part in Animal Aid's Great Vegan Challenge where you will receive all the advice, support and encouragement you need to try going vegan for a month.
Thank you again for everything you did to help us bring this long and difficult campaign to a successful conclusion. Quite simply, we couldn't have done it without you.
Tor Bailey
Campaign Manager
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