Mandatory CCTV in slaughterhouses delivers further progress on Animal Welfare Pathway
Date published:
DAERA Minister Andrew Muir has welcomed the Assembly’s recent approval of legislation making closed-circuit television (CCTV) mandatory in slaughterhouses across Northern Ireland, describing it as clear progress in delivering the practical reforms set out in the Animal Welfare Pathway.
The new regulations, which will come into force on 1st August, will reinforce the high standards already operating across Northern Ireland’s slaughterhouses by placing existing good practice on a clear statutory footing. With most premises already using CCTV, the regulations will now ensure consistency across the sector by requiring coverage in all areas where live animals are present, retaining footage for 90 days and ensuring access for authorised officers. This will bring Northern Ireland into line with the rest of the United Kingdom, strengthen transparency and oversight, support proportionate enforcement and help maintain public confidence in animal welfare standards.
Alongside this, the Department is continuing to advance the wider Animal Welfare Pathway, including reforms on dog licensing, microchipping, dog licence fees, aversive training devices, and rescue and rehoming. A public consultation seeking views on proposals closed last week and over 700 responses have been received. Analysis of the responses is underway to inform the consultation response and proposed way forward to be published in the autumn.
Minister Muir said: “I am pleased that the Assembly has approved legislation that will make CCTV mandatory in all Northern Ireland slaughterhouses. This will help strengthen protections for animals during unloading, handling, lairage, stunning and slaughter.
“Improving animal welfare is a priority for me and for my Department. The Animal Welfare Pathway sets out an ambitious programme of reform, and I am committed to progressing the measures that will make the greatest difference for animals, owners, councils and the wider public.
“Significant progress has also been made in other key areas, including publication of the independent dog breeding review, development of legislation to introduce Lucy’s Law in Northern Ireland and the Animal Welfare and Responsible Dog Ownership campaign.”
On dog breeding, the Department commissioned an independent review of the Welfare of Animals (Dog Breeding Establishments and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013. The review group, chaired by Professor Gareth Arnott of Queen’s University Belfast completed its report at the beginning of May.
It makes 11 headline recommendations, and approximately 50 sub recommendations, covering issues such as maximum dog numbers at breeding premises, mating rules, protections for breeding and retired dogs, veterinary oversight, socialisation and enrichment, staffing levels, fitness to breed, identification of adult dogs on licences, procedures for the sale of puppies and training and inspection procedures.
Minister Muir added: “The review has shown that reform is needed and that stronger protections are required for dogs and their puppies. Some of the recommendations are novel and would place Northern Ireland at the forefront of animal welfare reform. Delivering them will require careful planning, engagement and a phased approach."
The Department is reviewing the Group’s findings and will identify which recommendations can be taken forward to public consultation in the autumn as part of phase 1 implementation.
Minister Muir has also reaffirmed plans to bring forward legislation to introduce Lucy’s Law in Northern Ireland, banning third-party sales of puppies and kittens and requiring sales or supplies to take place at the premises where the animals were bred. The legislation will include safeguards to improve transparency and welfare, including restrictions on the sale of unweaned or under-eight-week-old animals, a requirement for sales to take place in the presence of the animal’s mother, disclosure of medical treatment, specified advertising information and appropriate record keeping. Further regulations to establish a registration scheme will be brought forward at a later stage.
Minister Muir said: “I want to end third-party sales at the earliest opportunity and ensure that new rules are robust, enforceable and deliver better transparency for animal welfare officers and the public. This is a significant programme of reform, and I remain focused on delivering meaningful improvements for companion animal welfare during this mandate.”
Notes to editors:
- The policy proposals within the consultation document were first announced in a commitment as part of the Minister's Animal Welfare Pathway 2025-27.
- The Dog Breeding Review Report can be found: Review of the dog breeding regulations in NI, with recommendations to improve animal welfare.
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