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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 23rd February 2018
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Slaughterhouse CCTV law laid before parliament
“We commend the Government’s commitment to provide Official Veterinarians with unrestricted access to the footage."
Legislation to come into force in May 2018

New legislation making CCTV cameras mandatory in slaughterhouses has been laid before parliament today (23 February).

Under the proposals, official veterinarians (OVs) will have unfettered access to the last 90 days of footage, to help them monitor and enforce animal welfare standards.

The legislation will come into force in England from May 2018, once it has passed through parliament, and businesses will have six months to comply.

BVA president John Fishwick said mandatory CCTV in all areas of the slaughterhouse offers an “essential tool in fostering a culture of compassion that could help safeguard animal welfare”.

He added: “We commend the Government’s commitment to provide Official Veterinarians with unrestricted access to the footage, which the veterinary profession has long been campaigning for.
 
“It is vets’ independence and unique qualifications that help ensure the UK will continue to have the highest standards of animal health, welfare and food safety post-Brexit.”

BVA and the Veterinary Public Health Association have long campaigned for mandatory CCTV in all areas of the slaughterhouse that animals are kept, as well as giving OVs full and unrestricted access to CCTV footage.

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.