Soon camera surveillance in all Dutch slaughterhouses?

The House of Representatives wants camera surveillance in all Dutch slaughterhouses. The motion of the Party for the Animals was passed with a large majority yesterday, April 11.

Martijn van Dam had already said earlier, in response to critical questions from Esther Ouwehand (PvdD), that he would enter into discussions with the Dutch slaughterhouses about installing camera surveillance in slaughterhouses. That was in response to the shocking images from the slaughterhouse in Tielt.

Cabinet's commitment tightened
According to the House of Representatives, camera surveillance should become a standard in all Dutch slaughterhouses. The House has thus tightened up the government's commitment. 

If the Dutch slaughterhouses are not prepared to install cameras and make those images available to the inspectors of the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA), the cabinet must proceed to a legal obligation of camera surveillance.

Supervision is necessary
Marianne Thieme's party wants a further tightening of the supervision of the meat industry. The party argues not only for proper enforcement by the NVWA, but also for live streams of the entire slaughter process. The images thereof should even be made accessible to the public. 

The Party for the Animals also wants to monitor animal transports and livestock farms. With this, the party hopes to reduce the speed at which the animals are sent to the slaughterhouse. Improved surveillance must go hand in hand with a significant reduction in the number of animals being slaughtered.

'Mandatory camera surveillance in all Dutch slaughterhouses is a good step towards better supervision of animals in the meat industry. The number of animals that are slaughtered must be significantly reduced. Supervision of this also needs to be improved. Only in this way can we combat animal suffering', says Ouwehand.

Will camera surveillance soon be mandatory?
It is still unclear whether camera surveillance will actually become mandatory in Dutch slaughterhouses. Many slaughterhouses have already installed camera surveillance in the slaughterhouses on their own initiative. The cabinet can also choose to ignore the motion and no further action will be taken.

Kimberly Baker

Kimberly Bakker is an all-round editor at Boerenbusiness. She also has an eye for the social media channels of Boerenbusiness.

k.baker @boerenbusiness. Nl

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