CCTV to be installed to cut animal cruelty in abattoirs

ALL slaughterhouses in England will have to install CCTV under government plans to crack down on cruelty amid concerns about the mistreatment of animals at some halal abattoirs.

Michael Gove, the Environment Secretary, has proposed that CCTV will be required in all areas where live animals are present with designated vets given unrestricted access to the footage.

Charities and Tory MPS have raised concerns about the treatment of animals in halal abattoirs after secret filming showed workers hacking and sawing at sheep throats.

British law prohibits the slaughtering of animals unless they have been stunned, but there are exemptions for Jewish and Muslim producers. Under halal law, animals are supposed to be killed quickly by single cut from a surgically sharp knife and while the vast majority of halal meat is stunned, some is not. The RSPCA has expressed concern that killing animals without stunning them can cause them to suffer.

Dr Marc Cooper from the organisation said: “We are encouraged that the issue of slaughter is being brought to the forefront by this announcement and hope this will pave the way for other welfare issues like non-stun slaughter, which the RSPCA firmly opposes, to also be addressed by the Government.”

Mr Gove said: “We have some of the highest animal welfare standards in the world and the actions I am setting out today will reinforce our status as a global leader. As we prepare to leave the EU, these measures provide a further demonstration ... that our food is produced to the very highest standards.”