With the planned introduction of legislation mandating video surveillance, many slaughterhouses are facing a major challenge: Starting January 1, 2027, numerous facilities will be required to document their animal welfare-related processes on video in accordance with legal requirements.
Mandatory Video Surveillance for Slaughterhouses Starting in 2027
Comply with Legal Requirements Safely and Cost-Effectively
With the planned introduction of legislation mandating video surveillance, many slaughterhouses are facing a major challenge: Starting January 1, 2027, numerous facilities will be required to document their animal welfare-related processes on video in accordance with legal requirements. Those who act early will ensure planning certainty, avoid time pressure, and be able to seamlessly integrate the implementation into their ongoing operations.
PIEPER supports slaughterhouses in planning and integrating a video surveillance system tailored to their specific needs. From consulting and design through to commissioning, you’ll receive a cost-effective and reliable video surveillance system that meets all legal requirements—all from a single source.
Legal Requirements for Video Surveillance
The new legal regulations on video surveillance apply to slaughterhouses that slaughter at least 1,000 livestock units or 150,000 head of poultry or rabbits annually.
The video recordings must document, among other things, the following process areas:
- Unloading the animals from the transport vehicles
- Directing people to the rest or waiting area
- Rest and Waiting Areas
- Feeding for Anesthesia
- Hang before stunning
- Anesthesia
- Hanging After Anesthesia
- Feeding into the bleeding process
- Making the hemostatic incision
- Bleeding out
- other slaughtering operations, such as scalding
For many businesses, this means much more than simply installing a few cameras. What’s needed is a professional, comprehensive system that reliably monitors all relevant areas—even in difficult lighting conditions and under challenging environmental conditions.
At the same time, video recordings must be stored for 30 days in compliance with the law, managed securely, and made available at any time as needed. In addition, the operation and maintenance of conventional video surveillance systems often tie up personnel resources that are urgently needed elsewhere in day-to-day operations.
A Custom-Designed, Comprehensive Video Surveillance System
With the video surveillance solution from PIEPER , you can rely on a comprehensive system tailored precisely to your needs. All components are optimally coordinated with one another and ensure reliable, cost-effective, and future-proof operation.
The solution, which can be seamlessly integrated into existing business processes, consists of:
- High-performance visual IP cameras for reliable monitoring of all relevant process areas
- Rugged camera housings for humid and hygienically demanding applications
- modern camera technology for reliable image quality even under varying and challenging lighting conditions
- a professional video management system (VMS) for convenient management, analysis, and archiving of recordings
- High-performance PoE switches for a secure and efficient infrastructure
- High-quality PCs and monitors for a comfortable user experience
- a scalable NVR storage solution for the reliable retention of legally required video recordings for 30 days
As an experienced specialist in professional video surveillance, we support PIEPER your project from the very beginning—from the initial site analysis through customized planning to professional installation, commissioning, and long-term after-sales service.
Your Benefits at a Glance
Over 55 years of experience
Take advantage of more than five decades of experience in the design and implementation of professional video surveillance systems—from the initial concept through long-term support.
Customized Solutions
Video surveillance is tailored to the spatial, technical, and operational requirements of your slaughterhouse. This results in a solution that can be seamlessly integrated into existing processes.
Rugged Camera Technology
Modern cameras and rugged housings are designed for long-term use even under demanding environmental conditions and ensure reliable image quality.
Scalable and future-proof
The system architecture can be adapted to changing requirements and expanded or modernized as needed—ensuring a solution that can be used for the long term.
Everything from a single source
From the initial analysis and design through installation and commissioning to service, you receive all services from a single source. This reduces the number of points of contact and simplifies project management.
Personal Contacts
Throughout the entire project, a dedicated contact person will be available to assist you and will guide you through the implementation process, from planning through to ongoing operations.
Investment and Planning Certainty
A system solution tailored to your needs provides a reliable basis for planning and enables a long-term investment in video surveillance.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mandatory Video Surveillance for Slaughterhouses
The regulation applies to slaughterhouses that slaughter at least 1,000 livestock units (mammals such as pigs or cattle) or 150,000 head of poultry or rabbits annually.
Video surveillance, if in use at the facility, must document all process steps required by law that are relevant to animal welfare. These include, among other things, the unloading of animals, rest and holding areas, stunning, bleeding, and initial slaughter operations. This also includes, among other things, the conveyance to the stunning station, suspension before and after stunning, and the making of the bleeding incision.
The recordings must be retained for 30 days in accordance with legal requirements. The scalable NVR storage solutions from PIEPER provide the necessary storage capacity and reliability for this purpose.
The IP cameras used are specifically designed for continuous operation under demanding conditions. Rugged camera housings and state-of-the-art camera technology ensure high-quality images even under varying and challenging lighting conditions. A professional and user-friendly video management system enables reliable documentation and management.
The sooner, the better. Planning, installation, and commissioning take time. Early project planning provides certainty, avoids bottlenecks, and ensures that all legal requirements can be met on time.
The current draft bill provides that the regulations on mandatory video surveillance are to take effect one year after the amending law enters into force. The exact date therefore depends on the further legislative process and when the law enters into force.
Whether existing cameras, recording systems, and network infrastructure can continue to be used depends on their technical specifications and the specific interpretation of the legal requirements. A needs assessment can determine which components can be reused and where, if necessary, systems need to be supplemented or adapted.
Would you like to know which solution is right for your business?
Please feel free to contact us at any time for a no-obligation initial consultation.