Mandatory CCTV in UK slaughterhouses, introduced in 2018, has provided evidence of both welfare breaches and improved practice. Understanding its impact reveals how transparency can improve welfare outcomes in the most critical stage of farmed animals lives.
Slaughterhouse welfare is the final and most consequential welfare event in a farmed animal's life. Pre-slaughter handling causes measurable fear and stress. Stunning quality determines whether the animal loses consciousness before killing. Stunning failures — where animals regain consciousness after initial stunning but before death — cause intense and preventable suffering. CCTV has improved accountability but not eliminated breaches. Welfare at slaughter is influenced by line speed, staff training, equipment maintenance, and management culture. The welfare case for slower line speeds, enhanced official veterinary supervision, and independent welfare auditing is strong. Consumer-facing transparency — QR codes linking to slaughterhouse welfare audit reports — remains largely absent from the market.