The Northern Ireland Assembly has approved regulations making closed-circuit television mandatory in all slaughterhouses, effective from 1 August. The measure brings the region into line with the rest of the UK and places existing voluntary practice on a statutory footing.

Under the new rules, CCTV must cover all areas where live animals are present. Footage will be retained for 90 days and made available to authorised officers. The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs says the move will strengthen transparency, support enforcement and maintain public confidence in welfare standards.

Minister Andrew Muir described the legislation as a tangible step in delivering the Animal Welfare Pathway, a programme of practical reforms for companion and farmed animals. He said improving animal welfare is a priority for his department.

Progress is also being made on other pathway commitments. A public consultation on dog licensing, microchipping, licence fees, a ban on aversive training devices and rescue and rehoming regulations attracted more than 700 responses. Analysis is under way and a response is expected in the autumn.

An independent review of dog breeding regulations has been completed, chaired by Professor Gareth Arnott of Queen’s University Belfast. The report makes 11 headline recommendations and around 50 sub-recommendations, covering maximum dog numbers per premises, mating rules, veterinary oversight, socialisation, staffing, fitness-to-breed criteria and sale procedures.

Minister Muir acknowledged that reform is needed and that some proposals are novel, potentially placing Northern Ireland at the forefront of animal welfare. The department will identify which recommendations to take forward to a first-phase public consultation later this year.

Plans to introduce Lucy’s Law are also being advanced. The legislation would ban third-party sales of puppies and kittens, requiring all transactions to take place at the breeding premises with the mother present. Further safeguards include prohibiting the sale of unweaned or under-eight-week-old animals, mandatory disclosure of medical treatments, specified advertising information and record keeping. A registration scheme would follow.

The minister reaffirmed his commitment to ending third-party sales promptly and ensuring that new rules are robust, enforceable and deliver better transparency for animal welfare officers and the public.