The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has challenged the Food Standards Agency (FSA) to take further investigative action and consider prosecutions against the Essex abattoir where appalling animal welfare abuses were revealed in footage obtained by Animal Aid.

The footage, publication of which resulted in two slaughterers being sacked and having their licences revoked, reveals how pigs were abused and manhandled in breach of animal welfare legislation. Undercover filming at the abattoir showed workers stubbing out cigarettes on pigs, dragging animals to slaughter by the ears and beating the animals with objects. 

Though it is not Defra policy to act in cases where the only evidence available is from a third party, as is the case with the footage filmed at Cheale Meats, the BVA said that more must be done to ensure those identified in the film are prosecuted. 

BVA President Harvey Locke stated on Friday, "There must be confidence in the systems that regulate and license slaughter and the people responsible for carrying it out.  I have written to the Chief Executive of the FSA outlining our concerns at the lack of any action towards prosecution."

Mr Locke said the BVA believes that, in this case, the method by which the issue was highlighted should not have an effect Defra and the FSA's decision over whether to conduct further investigation into the incidents.

Mr Locke added, "The UK food industry prides itself on high welfare standards.  Animal cruelty is not acceptable and action must be taken.  These are serious welfare issues and investigations into this sort of blatant abuse and appalling treatment of animals must be pursued vigorously."

Mr Locke wrote to the FSA last week, stressing that these incidents served to support the BVA's calls for an increase of CCTV monitoring in abattoirs, especially at the stunning/slaughter point. The BVA have called for more apertures or windows into stunning areas or the use of CCTV to allow Animal Welfare Officers to inconspicuously observe stunning and slaughter operations, they believe this should be rolled out to prevent such breaches of animal welfare legislation.

Nevertheless, a Defra spokesperson stated that there remained "little prospect" of a prosecution in this case. A solicitor for Cheale Meat said the slaughterhouse had contacted Essex Police in relation to the ‘unlawful' way in which the footage documenting animal abuses was obtained.