Spanish slaughterhouses must install video surveillance to ensure animals are not mistreated before they are killed, the government announced on Tuesday, claiming it was a first in the EU.
“This rule puts Spain at the forefront of Europe in this area, not only ensuring the welfare of animals during their passage through slaughterhouses, but also improving food safety guarantees for consumers,” said Consumer Minister Alberto Garzon.
The measure was approved in the cabinet meeting on Tuesday and is now to be quickly pushed through parliament for approval.
It has already been agreed with the industry, government spokeswoman Isabel Rodriguez said at a press conference.
“We will be the first country in the European Union to introduce a mandatory video surveillance system in slaughterhouses,” said Pedro Sanchez’s left-wing government’s Consumer Ministry.
Guillermo Moreno, chief executive of Equalia, an NGO campaigning for the reform, told AFP he was pleased with what he described as “a necessary and important first step in raising animal welfare standards in slaughterhouses.”
He added that England, Scotland and Israel have already introduced the measure in their slaughterhouses.
According to Spanish regulations, slaughterhouses must keep the video images for later inspection by the authorities.
“Large slaughterhouses have one year to implement the new standard,” smaller operations have two years, the ministry said.
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