(AGENPARL) - Roma, 10 Luglio 2026 - DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, ENVIRONMENT AND RURAL AFFAIRS

10 July 2026

Mandatory CCTV in slaughterhouses delivers further progress on Animal Welfare Pathway

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.