RSPCA calls for CCTV in every slaughterhouse
The RSPCA welcomes efforts to encourage slaughterhouses to install CCTV cameras but wants to see the measure made compulsory in all abattoirs.
Dr Marc Cooper, senior scientific manager from the RSPCA’s farm animals science team was asked to address the FSA Board meeting yesterday (TUES) about the RSPCA’s views on CCTV in slaughterhouses.
The board members resolved to continue encouraging abattoirs to install CCTV systems and approved some guidelines for best practice. But the FSA said it needed more information before it recommended to Government ministers that CCTV should be compulsory in all slaughterhouses.
Speaking after the meeting Dr Cooper said: “The RSPCA is pleased the FSA is encouraging the installation of CCTV cameras in slaughterhouses but we would like it to be mandatory in all abattoirs.
“The public has a right to expect that all farmed animals have as painless and humane an end to their lives as possible. We know this is an issue of huge importance to our supporters and the general public.
“The RSPCA firmly believes CCTV in slaughterhouses can be a good additional tool to help improve animal welfare. This is why we made it a requirement within the RSPCA farm animal standards that all abattoirs which are members of the Freedom Food scheme installed CCTV cameras by the start of this month (NOV).
“Many major supermarkets are already demanding CCTV in the slaughterhouses from which they source the meat they sell and abattoirs themselves recognise the benefits of having cameras in place.
“Not only are cameras a good deterrent against acts of animal cruelty and poor practices but they also have very positive uses, as a security measure and as a useful training aid for slaughter men, vets and meat hygiene inspectors to ensure standards are maintained.
“Obviously cameras should not be used as the only means of safeguarding animal welfare and they can never replace good training and competent staff.”
The RSPCA has strongly encouraged abattoirs to install CCTV systems for many years. As of 1 November 2011 it is mandatory for all abattoirs in the Freedom Food scheme have CCTV cameras giving a clear view of animals in several crucial areas of the abattoir, from the animals being unloaded on arrival through to death.
The footage must be kept for at least three months and must be available to be viewed by Freedom Food field assessors or RSPCA farm livestock officers during routine and unannounced visits.
Under forthcoming EU legislation as of January 2013 all abattoirs in the UK will have to employ a specially trained Animal Welfare Officer to oversee the welfare of all animals at the slaughterhouse – an important development originally called for by the RSPCA.
Dr Cooper added: “EU Governments listened to the RSPCA’s call for the appointment of animal welfare officers and we now hope that the FSA will recommend to UK ministers that CCTV cameras should be compulsory in all slaughterhouses.
“We firmly believe it will make the slaughter process more transparent and improve welfare for hundreds of millions of farm animals in the UK.”
Notes for editors:
The FSA Board meeting papers and above report can be viewed here – http://www.food.gov.uk/news/newsarchive/2011/nov/novboard
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