VIDEO: Our covert cameras capture appalling scenes of slaughterhouse incompetence and chaos at Farmers Fresh, Wales.
Between 2009 and 2020, Animal Aid has filmed inside sixteen British slaughterhouses, finding evidence of poor practice and lawbreaking in most of them.
It is clear that better regulation and enforcement is needed, starting with independently monitored CCTV cameras in all UK slaughterhouses. We would welcome a truly independent body, who would be tasked with spot-checking footage and following up complaints.
It is clear that better regulation and enforcement is needed, starting with independently monitored CCTV cameras in all UK slaughterhouses. We would welcome a truly independent body, who would be tasked with spot-checking footage and following up complaints.
Currently the campaign focuses on Wales. The Welsh Government has so far refused to make CCTV compulsory for slaughterhouses in Wales, despite it being law in England and being proposed for Scotland. It has previously said that there has not been evidence of serious legal breaches and cruelty inside Welsh slaughterhouses. Now, our latest ground-breaking filming shows otherwise. This is the 16th slaughterhouse Animal Aid has investigated and the first in Wales in 2019. The case is made for Wales to act without delay.
Campaign Updates
November 2021
Mandatory slaughterhouse CCTV is finally announced for Wales. This is as part of the new ‘Animal Welfare Plan for Wales’ proposals, which will take place over the next 5 years. We welcome this firm commitment on the Welsh Labour manifesto pledge. However, we question the long delay in implementation, which is mooted as 2023/4. Whilst this measure is no panacea, we welcome this breakthrough. We also urge that independent monitoring of the footage is also implemented. This step is absolutely vital in order to act as a deterrent to the violence and illegality which our cameras have often captured: https://www.animalaid.org.uk/a-breakthrough-for-wales/
Mandatory slaughterhouse CCTV is finally announced for Wales. This is as part of the new ‘Animal Welfare Plan for Wales’ proposals, which will take place over the next 5 years. We welcome this firm commitment on the Welsh Labour manifesto pledge. However, we question the long delay in implementation, which is mooted as 2023/4. Whilst this measure is no panacea, we welcome this breakthrough. We also urge that independent monitoring of the footage is also implemented. This step is absolutely vital in order to act as a deterrent to the violence and illegality which our cameras have often captured: https://www.animalaid.org.uk/a-breakthrough-for-wales/
March 2020
Over 4,500 people have now taken our E-Action urging the Welsh Government to introduce mandatory CCTV with independent monitoring for slaughterhouses without delay! If you’ve yet to take action, please click here to do so!
A number of postal letters have also been sent to the Welsh Minister.
Over 4,500 people have now taken our E-Action urging the Welsh Government to introduce mandatory CCTV with independent monitoring for slaughterhouses without delay! If you’ve yet to take action, please click here to do so!
A number of postal letters have also been sent to the Welsh Minister.
March 2020
The Welsh Government responds to the Petitions Committee report [External Link]
An upcoming debate is to be set at the Welsh Assembly on the subject of CCTV for Welsh slaughterhouses, originally scheduled for May but now postponed due to the closure of the Welsh Assembly during the Covid-19 outbreak.
The Welsh Government responds to the Petitions Committee report [External Link]
An upcoming debate is to be set at the Welsh Assembly on the subject of CCTV for Welsh slaughterhouses, originally scheduled for May but now postponed due to the closure of the Welsh Assembly during the Covid-19 outbreak.
March 2018
News update, Wales:
Lesley Griffiths, Cabinet Secretary for Energy, Planning and Rural Affairs announces a £1.1 million Food Business Investment scheme package of grant aid for small and medium sized slaughterhouses. Aimed at helping ensure ‘Welfare friendly infrastructure and facilities will be supported and also the installation and upgrading of CCTV monitoring systems’
News update, Wales:
Lesley Griffiths, Cabinet Secretary for Energy, Planning and Rural Affairs announces a £1.1 million Food Business Investment scheme package of grant aid for small and medium sized slaughterhouses. Aimed at helping ensure ‘Welfare friendly infrastructure and facilities will be supported and also the installation and upgrading of CCTV monitoring systems’
News update, Scotland:
Animal Aid responded to the government consultation for mandatory CCTV for all Scottish slaughterhouses which opened on the 28th March. We also published guidance notes to help supporters to do the same.
Animal Aid responded to the government consultation for mandatory CCTV for all Scottish slaughterhouses which opened on the 28th March. We also published guidance notes to help supporters to do the same.
Animal welfare is a devolved issue, so the governments of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have to implement CCTV themselves, Parliament in Westminster cannot impose it.
February 2017
Quarter of all slaughterhouses fail food hygiene tests, reports The Observer [External Link]
Quarter of all slaughterhouses fail food hygiene tests, reports The Observer [External Link]
September 2016
Bowood slaughterhouse staff could now escape having to answer for their actions after judge rules case out of time.
Bowood slaughterhouse staff could now escape having to answer for their actions after judge rules case out of time.
August 2016
More than 4,000 severe breaches of animal welfare regulations took place in UK slaughterhouses over the past two years, including chickens and pigs being put in scalding water while still alive.
More than 4,000 severe breaches of animal welfare regulations took place in UK slaughterhouses over the past two years, including chickens and pigs being put in scalding water while still alive.