9. Will the Minister provide an update on the Welsh Government's consideration of the introduction of mandatory CCTV for slaughterhouses in Wales? OAQ54663

Our seven largest slaughterhouses, which process the majority of animals, already have CCTV. I have committed to working with slaughterhouse operators, in a supportive relationship, to ensure CCTV is in place in all Welsh slaughterhouses. I've not ruled out the introduction of legislation to make CCTV mandatory.

Thank you, Minister, for that very encouraging reply. Since Animal Aid released their disturbing footage of cruelty at the Farmers Fresh slaughterhouse in September, another investigation by Animal Equality released last week has revealed similarly appalling evidence of horrendous suffering being inflicted on animals in the same slaughterhouse. Covert cameras have shown animals being thrown, pulled along by their legs or throats, kneed or kicked, and not properly stunned. This is just not acceptable. So, as the voluntary use of CCTV clearly isn't working, isn't it time to move to a system of mandatory independently monitored CCTV on welfare grounds?

Obviously, there is a live investigation currently under way in relation to Farmers Fresh slaughterhouse. I'd also like to say that Farmers Fresh slaughterhouse does indeed have CCTV, so it just shows that CCTV on its own is not the answer. Training is also a key factor, and it's really important that Lantra, who deliver that training, continue to play a key role in relation to that. 

I've already stated I've not ruled out legislating to introduce mandatory CCTV, but I did commit a year ago to work with businesses to look at whether they would do CCTV installation voluntarily. We've put forward the food business investment scheme, where we would give funding for CCTV. The bid process for that doesn't close until the end of January. I want to see how that progresses before I make a decision looking at the next steps in relation to mandatory CCTV. But, as I say, the slaughterhouse to which you refer does have CCTV and there is an investigation under way and I will be meeting with the Food Standards Agency next week about this issue. 

Thank you, Minister. I know very much about your sincere commitment to the highest standards of animal welfare, but I do think that the case that has already been cited by Vikki Howells demonstrates very clearly that the current voluntary arrangements in respect of CCTV in slaughterhouses in Wales are not working and that we do need to move to legislate on this as soon as possible. The UK Government, as you know, have already legislated in England, and the vast majority of slaughterhouses there are complying with that legislation, and the small number that aren't are being tackled about it. And I would urge you, therefore, to move to ensure that this legislation is brought forward as soon as possible. I think we have the evidence already, we shouldn't delay, and we should get this on the statute book as soon as possible. 

Well, as you will have heard me say in my answer to Vikki Howells, the slaughterhouse to which Vikki referred does have CCTV so, clearly, mandatory CCTV on its own is not the answer. We have to look at this holistically. There was also—you know, there are inspectors on site, there are vets on site. Clearly, we need to ensure that the training is up to date. So, whilst I appreciate your comments around CCTV—you know, your wish to see it mandatory—I still don't think that, on its own, is the answer. But it is a live investigation. I am meeting the Food Standards Agency next week, because they are looking into the two examples that Vikki Howells gave us. But just CCTV on its own is certainly not the answer, when you look at this particular case, where CCTV is installed. And, as I said, the majority of our slaughterhouses, certainly, where the majority of animals are processed, do already have CCTV; it's only a very few small ones.