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Welsh government opens slaughterhouse CCTV consultation
The consultation will run for 12 weeks.
Opinions sought on mandatory CCTV proposals.

The Welsh government has launched a consultation on proposals to require the use of CCTV in all slaughterhouses in Wales.

As part of the government's Animal Welfare Plan for Wales (2021-2026), the proposals require all CCTV in slaughterhouses, with a clear condition that this cannot replace direct oversight by slaughterhouse staff, animal welfare officers and official veterinarians (OVs).

Proposed regulations include installing cameras in all areas where live animals are unloaded, kept, handled, stunned and killed, and keeping recorded images fir a 90-day minimum period.

The proposals also state that recorded images should be available for authorised persons to view, copy or seize.

Running until 6 February 2023, the consultation invites members of the public to share their views on the proposals

Welsh minister for Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths, said: “Animal welfare is a priority for the Welsh Government, and our ambition is for all farmed animals to have a good quality of life and to be free of suffering.

“We have committed to ensuring all slaughterhouses in Wales have CCTV, and I’m pleased to announce the consultation today.

“While the vast majority of slaughterhouses have CCTV in Wales, I want to ensure all animals have the same level of protection.”

For further information on the proposals, and to access the response form, visit the Welsh government website.

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.