Hola Food has completed the installation of slaughterhouse video surveillance across its facility, in line with Spain’s animal welfare regulations.
Slaughterhouse Video Surveillance Coverage
Hola Food, part of the Grupo Alimentario Copese business group, began installing these devices in 2019 and completed the process in September 2021 by adding cameras to the rest of the premises where the animal is alive.
Following the publication of the Royal Decree establishing measures for the control of animal welfare in slaughterhouses through the installation of video surveillance systems, Grupo Alimentario Copese has positively assessed this measure, which has already been applied at the Hola Food meat processing center since it opened its doors in July 2019.
The first of these cameras was installed to monitor the proper unloading and handling of animals in the pens. Subsequently, in September 2021, four more cameras were installed in different areas of the barns to monitor the animals’ stay and handling in the pens and their entry into the stunning area, specifically the post-stunning section, already inside the slaughterhouse.
In this way, video surveillance cameras are installed in all the areas where the animal is kept, thus complying with the recently approved Royal Decree. The company invested €2,802 in the installation of these cameras.
José Muñoz, CEO of Grupo Alimentario Copese, highlighted the commitment of the entire business group to guarantee excellence in animal handling and the application of best practices in animal welfare.
In this regard, Hola Food was certified under the first animal welfare standard in November 2021, obtaining the “Interporc Animal Welfare Spain” (IAWS) certificate from Interporc for both slaughter and cutting. Specifically, its regulations state that only “slaughterhouses that have installed a continuous image recording system in the areas where live animals are located (unloading area, pens, pre-stunning, post-stunning and slaughter)” will obtain certification.
In this regard, María Berzal, Head of Quality at Hola Food, explained that since then, carcasses have been slaughtered and shipped under this animal welfare standard for our customers.
Also, in April 2022, Hola Food passed the audit for the other animal welfare certification “Welfair” from IRTA, in this case, for slaughter.
This measure forms part of the wider animal welfare and food safety programme detailed on our Food Quality and Safety page, alongside more on our facility on the What Do We Do page. The Royal Decree on slaughterhouse video surveillance is published by Spain’s Boletin Oficial del Estado (BOE).
How Slaughterhouse Video Surveillance Protects Animal Welfare
Hola Food’s slaughterhouse video surveillance system with five strategically positioned cameras provides continuous monitoring of every stage where live animals are handled. This transparency goes beyond regulatory requirements and aligns with the Interporc animal welfare spain program and the Welfair certification standards that European retailers increasingly demand from their pork suppliers. The cameras cover animal reception areas, lairage pens, stunning stations, shackling points and bleed lines, ensuring that trained welfare officers can review footage at any time to verify that handling protocols are followed consistently throughout every production shift.
Meeting International Animal Welfare Standards
The installation of slaughterhouse video surveillance at Hola Food reflects a broader industry shift toward verifiable animal welfare practices that wholesale buyers can independently audit. Major retail chains across Europe now require their meat suppliers to demonstrate active welfare monitoring beyond traditional paper-based records. Hola Food’s camera system provides timestamped visual evidence that complements its Welfair certification and Interporc animal welfare spain compliance, giving B2B buyers documented proof that meets the due diligence requirements of their own sustainability and welfare policies. This level of transparency strengthens buyer confidence when sourcing wholesale pork cuts for markets with strict welfare import standards.
Frequently Asked Questions About Slaughterhouse Video Surveillance
What areas do the five slaughterhouse video surveillance cameras cover?
The five cameras monitor all critical animal handling zones: the unloading and reception dock, holding pens where animals rest before processing, the stunning area, the shackling line and the initial processing point. This comprehensive coverage ensures that no stage of live animal handling occurs without visual oversight and recorded documentation.
How does the Welfair certification relate to video surveillance?
The Welfair certification establishes baseline animal welfare standards for Spanish pork producers, while the slaughterhouse video surveillance system provides an additional layer of real-time verification. Together, they give wholesale buyers a dual assurance framework: certified protocols plus continuous visual monitoring that proves those protocols are followed in daily operations.
Can wholesale buyers access welfare compliance documentation?
Yes. Hola Food provides animal welfare certification documentation, including Welfair and Interporc animal welfare spain compliance reports, to any wholesale partner upon request. Visit our wholesale quote request page to contact our export team and request welfare documentation alongside product pricing and availability information.