Anafric, Spanish meat business association, is in favor of the installation of video surveillance systems in slaughterhouses. José Friguls, president of the association, explains that the entity “has been working with partners to report on the installation of these devices and we have offered various webinars with fundamental information on this system and since 2020 we have reported on the allegations to be presented “.
The association points out that many of the slaughterhouses “already have these systems. We have the example in pig slaughterhouses. Companies that have INTERPORC Animal Welfare Spain (IAWS) certification have been voluntarily incorporating video surveillance cameras in slaughterhouses for years. slaughterhouses, so they are perfectly prepared for this measure”.
From Anafric, the approval of the Royal Decree “is nothing more than the confirmation of the path of transparency undertaken years ago by farms, industries and slaughterhouses to respond to the demands of new consumers”.
“Our ultimate goal is to demonstrate that we already met the highest European animal welfare standards, consequently improving our consumers’ food safety. In addition – says José Friguls – from the sector we denounce those unethical practices, so the video surveillance system it is an added value for all slaughterhouses that comply with the regulations”.
Main characteristics of the video surveillance system
- The text establishes that the cameras will have to be placed in such a way that their operation respects the privacy of the professionals in the slaughterhouses and they will only be located in justified workplaces.
- Those responsible for slaughterhouses must keep the images related to unloading, accommodation in the pens, driving to the stunning area, restraint, stunning and bleeding to death for possible subsequent verification.
- The slaughterhouses that will have a year to install video surveillance systems if they are large; or two years, in the case of small installations.
- Spain thus becomes the first country in the European Union to implement this requirement, which until now was voluntary.
More information on informative actions for Anafric members:
Presentació al·legacions
Webinar vídeo intel·ligent
Webinar transformació digital
