Responding to the news that the Government is launching a consultation on its plans to introduce mandatory CCTV in slaughterhouses across England [1], Keith Taylor MEP, Green Party animals spokesperson, said:
"Greens have been calling for mandatory CCTV in slaughterhouses for decades, our membership of the EU has never prevented the introduction of this measure. Today's announcement is welcome a step, but long, long overdue.
"The devil is in the detail, of which there is little at the moment. To help prevent the cruellest and most pitiless treatment of UK farm animals, as a minimum, the Government needs to ensure cameras are placed in any area of a slaughterhouse where animals are handled, held and killed. The footage must also be held for a reasonable length of time and made available for independent viewing and monitoring. At the same time, urgent steps are needed to improve and monitor on farm welfare standards too.
"Ultimately, though, it's worth remembering that no amount of legislation or regulation can ever make the slaughter business cruelty-free."
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