09.10.2010

The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) has tabled a proposal to introduce CCTV (closed circuit television) cameras into slaughterhouses in a bid to tackle animal welfare abuse.

FSA director of operations Andrew Rhodes is calling for the voluntary introduction of surveillance cameras after undercover filming by animal rights group Animal Aid in the last year had highlighted abuses in UK slaughterhouses. The proposal is due to go before agency chiefs next week for approval.

While there is no legal requirement to fit CCTV, food business operators (FBOs) may come under pressure from retailers to install systems. 

The agency warned that if the industry was unable to stop animal welfare breaches and refused to fit cameras, it would consider stationing extra inspection staff in premises and charge FBOs until “compliance could be satisfactorily demonstrated”.