The vast majority of livestock produced in England and Wales are slaughtered in abattoirs with CCTV cameras, new figures suggest.
102 out of 207 red meat slaughterhouses (49.3 per cent) and 50 out of 71 white meat slaughterhouses (70.4 per cent) have some form of CCTV in use for animal welfare purposes.
This is similar to the 2015 survey, which showed 105 out of 215 red meat slaughterhouses (48.8 per cent) and 51 out of 72 white meat slaughterhouses (70.8 per cent) had some form of CCTV.
FSA estimate that in England and Wales 92 per cent of cattle, 96 per cent of pigs, 88 per cent of sheep and 99 cent of poultry throughput comes from premises with some form of CCTV in use.
'Monitoring and protecting animal welfare'
The FSA said the support of CCTV by business operators is part of the system for monitoring and protecting animal welfare.
"It does not replace direct oversight by management, or checks by officials, but it can improve their effectiveness," the FSA said.
"Whilst we have been encouraged by increase in use of CCTV in recent years the latest survey results appear to suggest that uptake may have plateaued.
"However, the FSA is well placed to continue to work with industry and Government partners to encourage further uptake."
The National Pig Association said the results are "encouraging" as they show the vast majority of pigs in the UK are slaughtered in premises with CCTV.
"This can only reassure the public about how the animals are treated in abattoirs," the organisation said.
