Welsh farmers agree to CCTV in Slaughterhouses

A recent consultation which would see mandatory CCTV in Welsh slaughterhouses was generally supported by members of the Farmers’ Union of Wales.

Members hope that mandatory CCTV will grow consumer confidence in health and welfare standards used in Welsh livestock production.

 

FUW Deputy Head of Policy Dr Hazel Wright said:

“Whilst members agreed with the presence of mandatory CCTV in slaughterhouses, they were clear that the industry must not be forced into bearing the costs of a complex system that is overly bureaucratic, officious and rigid. The current supply chain can function to adversely affect primary producers and producers can often become responsible for enduring any additional cost increases which have occurred further up the supply chain.”

Responding to the recent Welsh Government consultation, the Farmers Union of Wales (FUW) further stressed that excessive costs risk adversely penalising smaller and medium sized enterprises.

Such plants supply a range of crucial markets and services, including local domestic and niche markets, through butchers, delicatessens, hotels and restaurants whose success depends upon being able to source produce from local, small and medium plants.

The market for meat from older cattle, which saw it’s 30 month ban recently come to an end, could also be adversely impacted by excessive costs.