DWYFOR Meirionnydd MP Liz Saville Roberts is calling on the UK Government to introduce mandatory CCTV cameras inside all UK-based equine slaughter houses in order to clamp down on breaches to animal welfare regulations.

Leading a Westminster Hall debate on CCTV in equine slaughter houses, the Plaid Cymru MP said that a more robust regulatory system was required to identify and prosecute breaches to animal welfare regulations, and tighter monitoring of slaughter house practices were needed.

She also expressed a desire to see small-scale slaughter houses in Wales being offered government support to achieve this.

The MP who has previously campaigned on this issue said that too many horses remain vulnerable to cruelty and abuse and introducing CCTV cameras in equine slaughter houses would be a practical step to improve animal welfare and prosecute those breaking the law.

Under current regulations, there is no law requiring the use of CCTV in slaughter houses, and where there is CCTV, there is no law requiring the footage to be shared with the authorities whose role includes monitoring welfare on site.

Given that horses kept in north Wales will often be taken to slaughter houses in the north of England, the MP is calling for cross-border co-operation between all UK Governments in a bid to tailor standards to each area.

Read the full story in Thursday’s north editions of the Cambrian News