Coles Groceries Wants Cameras in Slaughterhouses

Australian supermarket chain Coles is following the lead of UK grocery Tesco in announcing it may soon require its suppliers to install permanent surveillance systems in all slaughterhouses and animal sheds. While the proposal aims to address consumer concerns about animal-welfare standards, farmers are rejecting the idea, citing lack of context, marketing-driven cynicism, and invasion of privacy. Animal-rights group Animals Australia responded with a statement saying, “Abattoirs and producers who are confident they can meet community expectations should welcome such an initiative; it would reassure consumers that retailers were taking community concerns about animal-welfare seriously.”