Animals in slaughterhouses will be required to watch cameras, the government has decided

“Based on experience from the past, when there were excesses at a few slaughterhouses, we are introducing the obligation to install a camera system at slaughterhouses,” said Minister of Agriculture Marek Výborný (KDU-ČSL) on Tuesday after the government meeting.

Appalling cruelty to pigs and cattle was punished a few weeks ago by the Znojmo court without jurisdiction. At the small slaughterhouse in Hrabětice, three people beat the animals on the head with poles during unloading and driving, kicked them and prodded them with electric shocks. It was pointed out by the association We do not eat animals.

The Cabinet adopted an amendment to the Veterinary Act, which included the Excellent obligation. Slaughterhouse operators must keep records for at least 30 days for possible investigation by the State Veterinary Administration.

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“Cameras will be mandatory both during the unloading of the animals themselves and during the process of extortion. So that we have the places where problematic behavior towards animals occurs most often, under control and have evidentiary material in the event of an investigation,” Výborný added.

Already operating slaughterhouses will have to purchase a camera system by January 1, 2026 at the latest. For newly established operations, the obligation will apply as soon as the law is finally approved by parliament and the president.

For most large slaughterhouses, this will not be a change, as they already have these systems, the minister pointed out. The smaller ones will be able to apply for investment support from the Ministry of Agriculture.

The government also agreed to abolish the mandatory issuance of paper cards for individual farm animals from 2026. Everything will be digital. Paper will only be needed for animals that are exported outside the Czech Republic.