I am committed to maintaining high standards of animal welfare at slaughter, so I am pleased to say that following the conclusion of a consultation launched in August, CCTV will become mandatory in all slaughterhouses in 2018.
Plans put forward by the Environment Secretary, Michael Gove, met with an extremely positive reaction from the industry, welfare groups and the public, with more than 99 per cent of almost 4,000 responses showing support.
Ministers agree with these views in favour of mandatory CCTV to protect animal welfare in slaughterhouses. The proposals will also give the Food Standards Agency's Official Veterinarians unfettered access to the last 90 days of footage, to help them monitor and enforce animal welfare standards. Draft legislation will be presented as soon as Parliamentary time allows.
The UK has some of the highest animal welfare standards in the world and it is right for us to cement our status as a global leader by continuing to raise the bar. The reaction to this consultation highlights the strength of feeling among the public that all animals should be treated with the utmost respect at all stages of life, and be subject to the highest possible welfare standards.
These strong measures provide a further demonstration to consumers around the world that, as we leave the EU, we will continue to produce our food to the very highest standards.
