Ministers are considering making security cameras compulsory in slaughterhouses in England, Scotland and Wales to help enforce laws against animal cruelty.

Secret footage taken by the charity Animal Aid of alleged abuses has already encouraged large supermarkets to make suppliers fit cameras in the stunning and killing areas of slaughterhouses. But the Department for Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), is now investigating whether such voluntary measures are enough, according to a paper being presented at the Food Standards Agency (FSA) board meeting next week.

One in five abattoirs killing cows, pigs, goats and sheep now has security surveillance. These are responsible for nearly half the red meat obtained from UK slaughterhouses. Just fewer than 30% of poultry slaughterhouses – accounting for 59% of birds – also have security surveillance. The figures gathered in September suggest the use of security cameras to protect animal welfare doubled in just over a year.

The agency is working on best-practice guidance for those businesses using security cameras, including daily monitoring – but at different times – by agency vets and staff at the abattoirs. Its officials are still analyzing a survey it undertook