The Mandatory Use of Closed Circuit Television in Slaughterhouses Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026

Explanatory note

Reproduced verbatim from the instrument as published on legislation.gov.uk (Crown Copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0). The note is prepared by the responsible government department and is not part of the instrument itself.

These Regulations make provision complementary to EU Regulation 1099/2009 on the protection of animals at the time of killing (“ the EU Regulation ”) and the Welfare of Animals at the Time of Killing (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2014 (“ the 2014 Regulations ”).

These Regulations introduce requirements on operators of slaughterhouses (“business operators”) in Northern Ireland to install and operate a closed-circuit television (CCTV) system in all areas where live animals are present (regulation 3). Regulation 4 requires business operators to retain CCTV footage and associated data for a period of 90 days. Inspectors are given powers to require compliance with these Regulations. This includes powers of inspection and seizure where an inspector has entered premises for the purposes of executing and enforcing the 2014 Regulations or the EU Regulation (regulation 5) and powers to issue enforcement notices (regulation 6).

Regulation 7 makes provision for appeals relating to notices under regulation 6, and regulation 8 makes further provision in relation to notices.

Regulations 9 and 10 provide that contravention of regulations 3 and 4, failure to comply with an enforcement notice and obstructing inspectors are offences.

Regulations 11 makes provision as to penalties.

A full regulatory impact assessment has been produced for this Statutory Rule. Copies can be obtained by writing to Animal Welfare and Dog Control Policy Branch, Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Jubilee House, 111 Ballykelly Road, Ballykelly, Limavady, BT49 9HP or by emailing animalwelfarepolicy@daera-ni.gov.uk .