Written question WQ93303
- Asked by
- Janet Finch-SaundersConservative
- To be answered by
- Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 6 days
Question
How is the Welsh Government working to improve animal welfare regulations in Wales following the departure of the UK from the European Union?
Answer
Answered by Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs
Our priorities for animal welfare are set out in our Animal Welfare Plan for Wales. Launched in November 2021, it includes a timetable for the delivery of key actions against four animal welfare Programme for Government commitments, and our other animal welfare priorities. We have made good progress on delivering our priorities. We published our Year 2 Progress Report in February 2024.
We have since delivered on our commitment to require CCTV in all slaughterhouses. The Mandatory Use of Closed Circuit Television in Slaughterhouses (Wales) Regulations 2024 were approved by the Senedd in May. The Regulations require CCTV cameras to be installed in all slaughterhouses in areas where there are live animals. In addition, the Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Act received Royal Assent in May. The Act bans the export of live cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and equines for slaughter and fattening from Great Britain.