Plans for CCTV in all abattoirs ‘cautiously welcomed’ by Shechita UK chief
Supporters of shechita back proposal to have cameras as a 'useful tool' to ensure animal welfare regulations are met
Activists working to protect kosher slaughter in the UK this week cautiously welcomed proposals to introduce CCTV in all abattoirs.
It follows an announcement from Environment Secretary Michael Gove that the new mandatory measures, now subject to consultation, would safeguard animal welfare and reassure customers.
Shechita UK director Shimon Cohen this week said it “cautiously welcomed” the news. “Of course we welcome measures to improve animal welfare in abattoirs,” he said.
“Shechita requires that animals must be unharmed at the time of slaughter and CCTV will be a useful tool to ensure that all regulations are complied with.”
Under the proposals, vets from the Food Standards Agency would have unrestricted access to footage of all areas containing livestock, a move Gove said would “cement the UK’s position as a global leader on animal welfare”.
FSA chair Heather Hancock welcomed the initiative, saying progress on voluntary adoption had “plateaued”. Any slaughterhouse found to be in breach of animal welfare laws could have their licences suspended or revoked, and be subject to criminal sanctions.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
