Farm Animal Welfare

Cattle Welfare and Slaughter Monitoring

Monitoring at slaughter ensures welfare standards are maintained at this critical end-of-life welfare point. CCTV monitoring and official veterinary oversight are key tools.

Key Facts

Slaughter represents one of the highest-risk welfare moments in cattle's lives
Pre-stun captive bolt followed by exsanguination is the standard UK method
Stunning efficacy monitoring ensures animals are rendered insensible before bleeding
CCTV monitoring at slaughter plants has been mandatory in England since 2018
Official Veterinarian (OV) oversight provides regulatory welfare assurance

Welfare Considerations

Slaughter welfare monitoring is a welfare safeguard that reduces the risk of welfare failures at this critical moment. CCTV monitoring enables both real-time and retrospective assessment of slaughter welfare.

What You Can Do

Support mandatory CCTV monitoring in slaughter plants
Advocate for robust OV oversight of slaughter welfare
Learn about slaughter welfare standards and their importance
Choose beef and dairy products from supply chains with verified slaughter welfare