CCTV monitoring in slaughterhouses has improved welfare compliance and enabled faster identification and correction of welfare violations.
Slaughterhouse CCTV monitoring represents a practical welfare tool that increases accountability at one of the most welfare-critical points in the food system. Animals at slaughter are at their most vulnerable and dependent on skilled, conscientious handling and stunning. CCTV monitoring deters welfare violations through the knowledge of being observed, enables detection of problems that would previously have gone unreported, and provides evidence for enforcement action. The welfare gains from CCTV are contingent on active monitoring and willingness to act on violations. Live-streaming to official veterinarians or third-party welfare organisations maximises the monitoring benefit.