By Hind Hassan, Sky News Reporter
Campaigners and MPs are calling for CCTV cameras at every abattoir after footage revealed extreme animal cruelty at a halal slaughterhouse.
Secretly recorded video shows sheep being kicked, thrown and punched at Bowood Lamb abattoir in Thirsk, North Yorkshire.
The filming was carried out by animal rights group Animal Aid, who smuggled cameras into the site and filmed footage over three days in December.
In the video, one of the workers stands on the neck of one animal, while another worker hacks a sheep to death - contrary to Islamic guidelines.
The Food Standards Agency says it has suspended the operating licenses of four of the slaughter men and is now conducting an investigation.
Conservative MP Henry Smith will call for mandatory CCTV in slaughterhouses at a House of Commons debate.
He told Sky News it would allow for "an independent assessment and so that those carrying out that role know that the system is monitored to prevent cruelty taking place".
The MP for Crawley said: "Already many abattoirs, particularly ones that supply the big supermarkets like Tesco and Waitrose, have a system of CCTV to ensure animal welfare standards are maintained.
"So what I'm asking for is that is extended across all slaughterhouses in the UK. It's not something that is very expensive or burdensome but actually could end a lot of unnecessary suffering and abuse of livestock in the food production process."
Slaughterhouses in the UK are required to stun animals before they are killed to minimise pain, but Muslim and Jewish slaughter houses are exempt due to religious requirements.
Halal meat must be prepared in accordance with Islamic law. Like Jewish Kosher meat, it requires the animal to be slaughtered and the blood drained.
Both religions dictate that it should be done with a surgically sharp knife and in one uninterrupted sweep.
Masood Butt, from The Association of Non Stun Abattoirs (ANSA), which represents the halal meat industry, said: "Islam has absolutely clear guidelines about treating animals within a slaughter house or outside a slaughter house and that is to be kind and merciful to them and respecting their care and not to cause pain or suffering to the animal unnecessarily.
"For example, Islam says you are not allowed to slaughter an animal in front of an other animal.
"You are not allowed to deprive them from food or water. You have to provide enough space for them to lie down or walk about.
"Islam has clear guidelines not to slaughter babies in front of their mother and if they have done so they are not only not following the laws of animal welfare in the UK, but they are also not following the rules in Islam."
The Muslim Council of Britain said it is appalled at reports of animal mistreatment.
A spokesman said: "Animal cruelty is wrong and criminal wherever it may occur.
"That it is being carried out in halal slaughter makes it even more incredulous. Animal welfare should be observed by all slaughterhouses.
"The findings certainly are abhorrent in Islamic practice, and the abattoir must be subject to the full force of the law."
In a statement The FSA said: "There is no excuse for treating animals in the way shown on the video and we are therefore investigating the footage with a view to prosecution.
"When the FSA has finished investigating it will need to consider if there is sufficient evidence of a breach of animal welfare legislation to justify a referral to the Crown Prosecution Service, which would decide whether to prosecute or not."
An evening debate is due to take place in the House of Commons on the issue of CCTV cameras in slaughterhouses.
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