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CCTV is to be installed by law in all of England’s slaughterhouses as part of move to safeguard animal welfare.

Official veterinarians will be given unrestricted access to footage of all areas containing livestock.

Environment Secretary Michael Gove said the proposals would “cement the UK's position as a global leader on animal welfare" ahead of Britain’s exit from the EU.

Any breaches by a slaughterhouse can result in a welfare enforcement notice, the suspending or revoking of staff licences or referral for a criminal investigation.

The Government also said it would raise standards for farm animals and domestic pets by updating statutory animal welfare codes to reflect advancements in medicines, technology and the latest research and advice from vets.

The first to be updated will cover chickens bred for meat, followed by laying hens, pigs, dogs, cats and horses over the next year.

Mr Gove said: "We have some of the highest animal welfare standards in the world and the actions I am setting out today will reinforce our status as a global leader.

"As we prepare to leave the EU, these measures provide a further demonstration to consumers around the world that our food is produced to the very highest standards."

British Veterinary Association president Gudrun Ravetz said: "Mandatory CCTV in all areas of slaughterhouses will provide an essential tool in fostering a culture of compassion that could help safeguard animal welfare and we are particularly pleased to see a commitment to official veterinarians having unrestricted access to footage, which BVA has been calling for.”

The proposals have been announced amid fears up to 700,000 eggs sold in Britain could be contaminated.

Supermarkets are urgently withdrawing products thought to be tainted with insecticide Fipronil.