Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA)
Minister has launched a consultation on
proposals to make closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems
mandatory in slaughterhouses throughout Northern Ireland.
Announcing the consultation, Minister Muir said: “I am
pleased to launch a public consultation on mandatory CCTV
coverage in slaughterhouses in Northern Ireland. Animal welfare
is one of my top priorities and this proposal would bring
Northern Ireland into parity with the rest of the UK, supporting
my commitment to closing legislative deficits.
“I am aware that slaughterhouses in Northern Ireland
operate to a very high standard, and nearly all have CCTV
coverage in place. This proposal will supplement those high
standards through three key aims; enhancing coverage by making
CCTV mandatory in unloading, handling, lairage, stunning and the
kill areas of the slaughterhouses; allowing unrestricted access
to the CCTV recordings for officials; and requirement that all
recordings are kept for 90 days.”
Whilst the Department recognises that the vast majority of
industry will already meet the proposed requirements, the
regulations, if introduced, will ensure that there is parity
across all slaughterhouses.
The consultation closes on 20 May 2025 and DAERA welcomes views
from interested parties. The document along with details on how
to respond are available on the DAERA website at: www.daera-ni.gov.uk/consultations.
