Many slaughterhouses are being forced into closure because animal rights activists are relentlessly holding them to account over laws which are designed to protect animal welfare.
Activists have been vocally demanding that slaughterhouses meet legal requirements in England to install CCTV cameras, according the Sustainable Food Trust (SFT).
Without CCTV, welfare groups argue that animal rights violations and poor practice can go undetected.
Only 56 small red meat slaughterhouses remain in the UK after a third closed down between 2007-2017, and an extra seven closed this year.
Many of the smallest slaughterhouses are losing money and have not yet installed CCTV. So-called ‘sustainable farming industry’ mouthpiece the SFT said that for smaller businesses to stay open, government intervention would be needed.
The group has urged animal rights groups to reconsider their approach, and stressed that smaller businesses ‘deserve protection, rather than vilification’.
The SFT called for small slaughterhouses to be recognised as a ‘public good’ and for government grants to be available to help install CCTV and structural improvements.
Policy director Richard Young told farming trade magazine The Scottish Farmer: “Animal welfare groups are not acting in the best interests of animal welfare in piling yet more pressure on the few remaining small abattoirs that have still to install CCTV.
“I fully understand their concern about the factory scale of the slaughtering industry and the abuses that have occurred, and it is clear that the Government is very sensitive to their demands.
“But they are actually helping to drive the last few small abattoirs out of business. These are small family-run businesses where animals are treated as individuals and do not have to endure long journeys.”
Large slaughterhouses often receive large public grants, generate huge revenue and animals they slaughter travel hundreds of miles in stressful environments.
The SFT argued that CCTV regulations are inappropriate for smaller abattoirs which have fewer resources.
“We’d really welcome it if animal rights and welfare organisations would meet with us and discuss these issues openly,” Young added.
“They have done some good in shining a light on the abuses that have occurred, but if they really care about animal welfare they will come to understand that the smallest abattoirs desperately need public support at the moment, not further criticism just for cheap headlines.”
Do you think all slaughterhouses should be required to install CCTV? Tell us in the comments section below!
Lifestyle
Vegan culture, food, beauty & more
35% of Brits are now buying less or no meat at all, new survey shows
- Mohsina Dodhiya
- 29th June 2022
Rising food costs are motivating Brits to adjust their diets. While vegan food has always been branded more expensive than its meat counterpart, a new survey has busted this myth by showing that Brits are changing their eating habits with more individuals ditching meat in favor of vegan food. The survey The Vegan Society hosted …
Continue reading “35% of Brits are now buying less or no meat at all, new survey shows”
81% of military personnel want plant-based meals, new survey reveals
- Mohsina Dodhiya
- 27th June 2022
“As the US military continues to seek ways to best support the overall health and diverse needs of its loyal service members, we’re calling on lawmakers to require all branches of the military to provide plant-based MRE options.” The majority of US military members want vegan Meals, Ready to Eat (MRE), according to a new …
Continue reading “81% of military personnel want plant-based meals, new survey reveals”
VEGAN MEMES
NEED A LAUGH?
QUIZZES
All the quizzes you love to binge!
QUIZ: If you score 11/12 on this quiz, you’re a verified vegan food expert
- Marlon Farrugia
- 10th January 2020
How much vegan knowledge do you have stored away? Do you have to Google your way through a shopping trip, or do you have all the bad E-numbers memorised? Find out now with this quiz. Marlon Farrugia Marlon Farrugia is a freelance writer from Brighton. He has been a dedicated vegan for many years, and …
Continue reading “QUIZ: If you score 11/12 on this quiz, you’re a verified vegan food expert”
QUIZ: What is your perfect Vegan Halloween Costume?
- Marlon Farrugia
- 13th October 2019
Spook Season approaches. There will be ghosts, goblins, ghouls, and glucose. You need a costume, and you want to it to show off your personality, which means VEGAN. But what to choose? Take our quiz to find out your perfect outfit. Marlon Farrugia Marlon Farrugia is a freelance writer from Brighton. He has been a …
Continue reading “QUIZ: What is your perfect Vegan Halloween Costume?”
QUIZ: What kind of vegetable are you?
- Marlon Farrugia
- 26th September 2019
“If you were a vegetable, what kind would you be?” A question that has tormented humanity throughout the ages – until now. Read: QUIZ: If you score 19/20 on THIS quiz, you’re a Vegan God Marlon Farrugia Marlon Farrugia is a freelance writer from Brighton. He has been a dedicated vegan for many years, and …