France approves mandatory CCTV in abattoirs
Twenty-eight assembly members voted in favour of compulsory CCTV, while four opposed it.
French National Assembly members have voted in favour of compulsory CCTV in slaughterhouses, following a number of concerning revelations about animal welfare in the past year.
There are around 1,000 slaughterhouses in France, which came under close scrutiny in 2016 after animal rights groups covertly filmed then published footage of workers killing animals without stunning them.
Under the proposed new law, which is set to come into force in 2018, authorities will install cameras in all areas where live animals are handled, including places of transport, accommodation, stunning and slaughter. Those caught inflicting unlawful cruelty on animals will face one year in prison.
Twenty-eight assembly members voted in favour of compulsory CCTV, while four opposed it. However, it must still pass the French Senate in February before becoming law.
A trial is set to take place this year to determine how the technology will be rolled out.
Animal rights group Animal Aid is urging Defra minister George Eustice to implement similar measures in the UK.
In December 2016, a Welsh working group concluded there was ‘not sufficient basis’ for introducing compulsory CCTV in Welsh slaughterhouses.
The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) is inviting applications from veterinary students to attend a one-week extramural studies (EMS) placement in July 2026.
