The UK government is set to introduce mandatory CCTV in all slaughterhouses from May this year.
It would mean that all slaughterhouses in England would have to install CCTV. This is to ensure that animal welfare standards are being kept to. Animal welfare standards include avoiding workers in slaughterhouses from mistreating or abusing animals.
All areas where animals are present in slaughterhouses, from November 2018, must have CCTV cameras installed in their slaughterhouses.
The RSPCA hopes that the move to instal CCTV cameras in slaughterhouses will improve animal welfare standards. They are also calling for a halt to slaughter without stunning animals.
The UK government says that all animals must be stunned before slaughter unless they are being stunned for religious reasons.
No Exemptions
There doesn't seem to be any exemptions to the new law. The UK government has insisted that all slaughterhouse will have to install CCTV. Which means both stunned and non-stunned slaughter will be monitored.
Where Will It Apply?
The new law will apply to only England. The matter is devolved for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, which means that it is up to the devolved governments to make a decision on the matter. These are where the other countries stand:
. Wales
The Welsh government last year said that it was considering CCTV in Welsh slaughterhouses.
. Scotland
The Scottish government has been saying since 2016 that it supports mandatory CCTV in slaughterhouses. So far though, no law has made CCTV mandatory in Scotland.
. Northern Ireland
There are currently no proposals here. But, Animal Aid is working with the devolved government to try and make it the law.
Will CCTV help?
CCTV won't help prevent all animal abuse at slaughterhouses, however, it is a step in the right direction. It has the capacity to stop workers from abusing animals and prosecuting people will the do abuse animals in slaughterhouses.
People have been prosecuted before for abusing animals in the past. But, the sentences are not long. CCTV alone is not the answer. Giving people strong sentences will also deter this sort of abuse happening. However, it is only the beginning - there is no compassion in any form of slaughter.
Sources:
https://www.rspca.org.uk/whatwedo/latest/details/-/articleName/2018_02_23_Mandatory_CCTV_in_slaughterhouses?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=Social&utm_content=MandatoryCCTVInSlaughterhouses&utm_campaign=Campaigns
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/halal-and-kosher-slaughter
https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/all-party-group-of-msps-back-mandatory-abattoir-cctv-1-4597645
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-40889806
https://www.animalaid.org.uk/snp-backs-slaughterhouse-cctv-combat-animal-cruelty/
http://www.slaughterhousecctv.org.uk/the-case-for-mandatory-cameras/