This week, the French national assembly passed a bill requiring cameras in all slaughterhouses. The controversial measure, to be implemented in 2018, is in response to the intense public outcry that happened after a series of undercover investigations were released to the French media, by the animal rights organization- L214. The bill, which monitors slaughterhouse practices and workers for animal cruelty, safety, and hygiene violations, passed 28 to 4.
Before the bill can be brought to the senate in Marc, where it will be debated, there will first be an experimentation phase which will begin by July 2017; in 263 slaughterhouses, cameras in all areas where animals are “moved, held, immobilized, stunned and killed,” will be placed and monitored. In a study conducted by the French government public opinion institute, 85 percent of French citizens approve of video surveillance in slaughterhouses.
Should the bill finally be written into law, there will be serious penalties for animal cruelty violations: 6 to 12 months in prison and fines from $8000 to $21,000.
Recently, the public have started to see L214 in a legitimate light after they conducted risky undercover operations exposing how widespread the incidents of animal cruelty are; L214 has exposed footage of animals being tormented, brutalized and butchered by callous workers- while still alive. Disgusting.
The protests by animal rights activists are attracting larger and larger crowds in Paris, Nice, and Lyon. They are also helping make France one of the leading countries to consider animal protection an important social justice cause linked to environmental efforts.
We are rooting them on! If people could see the cruelty and suffering behind slaughterhouse walls, they might choose- not all but certainly some- to switch to a healthier, plant-based lifestyle.
Source: Medium
