Supermarket installs CCTV in abattoirs

A major supermarket is to install CCTV cameras in its abattoirs in a bid to reassure customers and regulators about animal welfare standards.

Morrisons will install the cameras by the end of December in the Colne and Turriff abattoirs of Woodhead Brothers, the meat processing business wholly-owned by the supermarket chain.

Cameras have already been installed at Morrisons’ meat processing site at Spalding, Lincolnshire.

The retail giant believes monitor the treatment of animals will ensure transparency about welfare standards and help managers improve systems.

Martyn Fletcher, Morrisons’ group manufacturing director, said customers wanted to know animals were treated well through the slaughtering process.

“We believe installing CCTV cameras is the best way to demonstrate that we have the highest possible standards,” he said.

Footage from the CCTV cameras will be stored for 30 days and made available to the Food Standards Agency.

The agency has said that it would like to see cameras installed in every abattoir. The RSPCA is also backing compulsory cameras in all meat plants.

Julia Wrathall, RSPCA head of farm animal science, said she hoped the move by Morrisons would encourage others to do the same.

Installing CCTV in abattoirs was just part of the RSPCA’s ongoing work to improve the welfare of farm animals at all stages of their lives.