Slaughterhouses in Spain are required to install video surveillance.

Last year, the Spanish Council of Ministers approved a decree guaranteeing compliance with animal welfare laws. To this end, the installation of video surveillance systems in slaughterhouses became mandatory. According to the publication, Spain became the first country in the European Union ( EU ) to implement this measure. The decree will take effect for large slaughterhouses on August 23. Smaller slaughterhouses will be required to comply next year.

According to the decree, slaughterhouses must equip most of their premises with CCTV cameras, including unloading areas, circulation corridors, holding areas, stunning areas, and bleeding areas. Cameras are not required in waiting areas where live animal transport vehicles are located, but the time spent by live animals in transport vehicles is subject to strict monitoring by the facility. When slaughtering poultry and pigs, the scalding process must be videotaped to confirm that the procedure is performed on animals showing no signs of life.

According to authorities, this measure will ensure safety, eliminate the possibility of cruelty, and minimize animal suffering during slaughter, unloading, and transportation. Furthermore, it should positively impact MEAT quality, as animals will experience less stress before slaughter.

It is noted that slaughterhouses will be required to maintain an archive of video recordings pending inspection and provide access to them to competent authorities upon request. Furthermore, they must ensure playback, copying, and transfer of materials to other devices without loss of quality of the original recording.