10. Will the Minister confirm what the next steps are for introducing compulsory CCTV in slaughterhouses? OQ59653

I've consulted on proposals and published a summary of responses last month. Officials are now developing regulations to deliver on our commitment to require CCTV in all slaughterhouses. I plan to introduce these by spring 2024.

It's very good to hear that, Minister. I'm sure you would agree that animals slaughtered in Wales should be the subject of the highest possible standards and regulations. And would you agree with me that the consultation showed quite clearly the strength of public opinion in favour of the highest possible standards? As a Member of this Senedd, animal welfare is one of the most prominent aspects of the postbag that I receive, and I'm sure that's reflected across the Chamber. So, with that background, Minister, I'm very pleased to hear that you'll be pressing ahead with these new standards, and I hope you can do so effectively from the first day of implementation.

Yes, thank you. I absolutely agree with you. Whenever there is any issue or consultation in relation to animal welfare, my postbag certainly, as an MS, always increases; I definitely think people prefer animals to people, and it's always a matter of great importance, I think, to our constituents. And, of course, animal welfare is absolutely a priority for me as Minister and for the Welsh Government, and one of the reasons I brought the five-year animal welfare plan in when we first came back after the election two years ago was to show the scope of work that we intend to do in the animal welfare space.

There were over 16,000 responses to the consultation, and overwhelmingly they were in support of having CCTV in our slaughterhouses, and, I have to say, all the large slaughterhouses here in Wales do already have CCTV. And, I should say, CCTV cannot replace direct oversight by a slaughterhouse manager, or even the official vets that have to be there. So, I think we should be reassured that there are very, very high standards in our slaughterhouses across Wales.

Janet Finch-Saunders is not in the Chamber to ask question 11, so question 12, Tom Giffard.

Question 11 [OQ59635] not asked.