Henry Smith MP article, Politics First, February 2016
A year ago, I led a debate in the House of Commons calling for the introduction of CCTV in all UK slaughterhouses.
During this debate, I cited a study carried out by Animal Aid who undertook secret filming in ten slaughterhouses over a five year period, worryingly finding serious animal mistreatment in nine of them.
While Food Standards Agency figures estimate that the vast majority of cattle, pig, sheep and poultry comes from premises with CCTV, I still believe that there is more to be done.
There are legitimate questions about the cost to the taxpayer, not least in terms of viewing the footage which would be recorded. I am aware of groups that would certainly be willing to provide this service – at no cost to taxpayers – as part of their commitment to animal welfare.
I understand that one of the issues which opponents of mandatory CCTV would put forward is the fact that Animal Aid uncovered abuse by viewing such footage.
This raises the important question of who monitors the video feeds. With the right examination – for practical reasons this does not include watching the entirety of such recordings – abuses can be uncovered. For example, individuals or an organisation viewing a particular slaughterhouse’s monitoring system, may select the relevant sections to view.
I am heartened by events in this regard in Israel, where the Agriculture Ministry has ordered the installation of cameras in the country’s slaughterhouses.
This will involve a ‘smart camera’ system, which is to include around 400 cameras and 50 digital recording systems at approximately 50 slaughterhouses.
Myself, as well as parliamentary colleagues and groups I continue to work with such as Animal Aid, will be monitoring developments closely.
Animal Aid have commissioned an independent report from the University of Sheffield which will provide analysis on finding the best system. It is anticipated that this will be completed in the coming months and I look forward to reading its findings.
A survey of members of Unison – which represents meat hygiene inspectors and some vets in slaughterhouses – found that 23 per cent had witnessed animals being mistreated. Studies from Animal Aid show that most violence to animals in this regard actually takes place when vets are not there, so the full scale of abuse may not actually be documented.
For example in 2010, figures appeared to show that there were only five cases of the mis-stunning of pigs across the UK over the course of the year. However, secret recordings demonstrated that 762 pigs were mis-stunned in just one slaughterhouse.
This is not the fault of the vets, who I am sure would always be quick to report any malpractice. This demonstrates the necessity of independently-monitored footage.
There has been progress – major supermarket chains insist that their slaughterhouse suppliers have CCTV installed. While this ‘voluntary’ scheme has ensured an increase in the number of slaughterhouses installing CCTV, there is more to be done.
It is, of course, probable that those who continue to resist CCTV are in need of the additional scrutiny themselves.
This issue has genuine cross-party support, and an Early Day Motion has backing among Conservative, Labour, Scottish National Party, Liberal Democrat, Democratic Unionist Party, Social Democratic & Labour Party, and Plaid Cymru colleagues.
I have also spoken with a number of farmers who share concerns regarding the welfare of animals in slaughterhouses, they particularly who have raised livestock with care do not want to see animals unnecessarily suffer in their final moments.
Animal welfare is a cause close to my heart. It was a great honour to be elected the Co-Chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare following last year’s general election, and I regularly receive letters, emails and messages on social media from my constituents who share my passion to improve treatment of animals.
I look forward to continuing work on ensuring these changes are made to improve the welfare of animals.
Picture: Henry Smith MP leading the Adjournment Debate in the House of Commons on CCTV in slaughterhouses, 3rd February 2015.