Views sought on a proposal to introduce mandatory use of closed-circuit television in slaughterhouses in Northern Ireland.
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has launched a consultation on a proposal to make the use of closed-circuit television (CCTV) mandatory in slaughterhouses.
The proposed legislation is aimed specifically at preventing harm to of animals when they are being held and processed in a slaughterhouse, as well as providing legal mechanisms to combat poor or negligent practice. It will set down specific requirements which must be complied with at all stages of the slaughter or killing process. It is offence to cause any animal avoidable excitement, pain or suffering at any time between its arrival at a slaughterhouse and when it is killed.
At present, it is not compulsory for slaughterhouses in N Ito have CCTV cameras in operation in all parts of the establishment where animals are kept. The overwhelming majority of slaughterhouses use CCTV, however this proposal would make it compulsory for all slaughterhouses to use CCTV, set minimum standards for the systems to be used and enable Official Veterinarians (OVs) to have unrestricted access to systems and footage.
Where it has been introduced, it is accepted that mandatory CCTV coverage can lead to improvement in practices and operating processes, a greater ability to observe animals in areas that are inaccessible, improve consumer perception of slaughterhouses and help prevent and deter offences.
The policy is aimed at supplementing existing high standards in the industry through three key aims
- enhancing coverage by making CCTV mandatory in unloading, handling, lairage, stunning and the kill areas of the slaughterhouses
- allowing unrestricted access to the CCTV recordings for officials
- requirement that all recordings are kept for 90 days
Find out more about the consultation and how to respond.
The closing date for responses is Tuesday 20 May 2025.
First published 27 March 2025
