Document type : article by Geo
Author: Geo, with AFP
Preview: Spanish abattoirs will have to install video surveillance systems to ensure that animals are not badly treated before they are killed, the Spanish government announced on Tuesday, declaring that it was a first in the EU.
"We are the first country in the European Union to have mandatory video surveillance systems in abattoirs," proudly announced Pedro Sanchez's left-wing government's Ministry of Consumer Affairs of on Twitter.
The measure was approved in Tuesday's Council of Ministers - the first to be held following the summer holidays. It took the form of a legal decree, which will speed up its submission to and approval by parliament.
"Ensuring the welfare of animals in abattoirs"
"This decree places Spain at the forefront of European action in this area and, as well as ensuring the welfare of animals during their passage through the abattoir, it also strengthens food safety guarantees for consumers," said the Spanish Minister of Consumer Affairs, Alberto Garzón.
This decree "has been agreed with the sector", the executive's spokesperson, Isabel Rodríguez told a press conference.
Guillermo Moreno, executive director of Equalia, an NGO that campaigned for the reform, told AFP he was satisfied with the measure, which he described as "a first, necessary and important step towards raising animal welfare standards in abattoirs. According to him, Spain joins England, Scotland and Israel, who have already implemented such a system.
The cameras will have to cover "the facilities where live animals are located, including unloading areas, transport corridors" and areas where animals are stunned and bled, the Ministry said in a statement.
In addition, abattoir managers will be required to retain these images so that the authorities can conduct later audits. "Large abattoirs have one year to implement the new standard and small abattoirs have two," the ministry stated.
