Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will have discussions with animal welfare groups on commissioning an independent assessment on the effect of the installation of CCTV cameras in slaughterhouses on deterring illegal practices.

FSA estimate that, in GB, 94% of cattle, 96% of pig, 90% of sheep and 99% of poultry throughput now comes from premises with CCTV in use which suggests that it is not necessary to legislate for change to happen.

The Farm Animal Welfare Committee (FAWC) was commissioned by GB governments to produce an independent assessment of the benefits of CCTV in slaughter houses. The report was published in February 2015.

It concluded that CCTV can offer some real benefits but it cannot replace the need for businesses to have proper monitoring procedures in place. The FAWC report does not recommend legislation. However, the government is exploring ways to encourage take up in remaining slaughterhouses.