Charities fearing animal abuse say its time cameras are brought in at abattoirs
Animal protection charities are taking their fight to have CCTV cameras fitted in abattoirs to Holyrood.
A resolution in support of mandatory CCTV in slaughterhouses was passed by the SNP at their party conference last year.
However campaigners – including OneKind and Animal Aid – have said that little progress on the plans has been made and will now raise the issue directly with the Scottish Parliament.
A petition has already collected more than 2,900 signatures, and organisers are aiming to reach 10,000 before they present it in the autumn.
The charity’s patron, The Duchess of Hamilton, was one of the SNP activists who secured the resolution and said the party has to take action to stop cruelty in slaughterhouses.
She said: “Taking bold action and implementing party policy on mandatory CCTV in slaughterhouses would be hugely popular with the Scottish people, who expect the Scottish Government to stand up for animals.”
Activists claim that having independently monitored cameras will help to stamp out cases of animals being poorly treated or abused.
Animal Aid director Isobel Hutchinson said: “Our investigations have consistently shown that slaughterhouse workers often abuse animals when they think no one is watching. Independently-monitored CCTV is a practical, proportionate measure that will detect and deter such cruelties, and provide evidence for prosecutions should it be needed.”
The Scottish Government, like the rest of the UK, recommends the installation of CCTV as best practice. However, the process is on a voluntary basis and not required by legislation.
“We’re helping bring this petition to Parliament because it’s now clear that the voluntary approach is simply not working,” said OneKind director Harry Huyton.
“It’s not enough just to have a few cameras covering only parts of the slaughterhouse. A mandatory requirement would mean CCTV throughout all slaughterhouses that can be accessed by independent monitors, providing a vital safeguard against cruelty.”
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “An estimated 95 per cent of animals are slaughtered in plants where CCTV has already been installed voluntarily.
“We do not consider CCTV, by itself, prevents welfare failures or secures welfare compliance and continue to monitor animal welfare at time of slaughter through the presence of Food Standards Scotland staff in all approved slaughterhouses.
“We will consider whether we have a role in helping industry produce a set of good proactive protocols for the review and use of CCTV at abattoirs.”
