Mandatory Video Surveillance in English and Swiss Slaughterhouses

About

The Multispecies Collective Dialogue Series is our series of events that shines a spotlight on non-members’ research or practice toward multispecies flourishing. In this dialogue, Colette Schefer-Peisker provides insight into her dissertation research (examining the legal framework and practical challenges of animal welfare in Swiss slaughterhouses). It also provides insight on work conducted during her time as part of the Multispecies Collective Visiting Researcher Programme where she is investigating the role of mandatory video surveillance in slaughterhouses with regard to its usefulness in improving the implementation of animal welfare standards during slaughter. Both in Switzerland and in England, abuses in the handling of slaughter animals have been repeatedly uncovered. These cases have led to a discussion about the effectiveness of the enforcement measures taken to date. However, unlike England, Switzerland does not have mandatory video surveillance in slaughterhouses. In her research, I am investigating the experiences gained so far with mandatory video surveillance in England and whether it can make a positive contribution to improving animal welfare in the slaughter process. Possible shortcomings in current practice will also be identified. The aim of her research is to compare the situations in Switzerland and England and to evaluate in detail the experiences to date with mandatory video surveillance. This should provide insights into the benefits of mandatory video surveillance and its possible introduction in Switzerland.

This research dialogue is hybrid format taking place in person (with coffee and cake!) and online. It follows a roundtable format: a brief welcome, 20 minute presentation by Colette followed by a 30 minute discussion/Q&A with all attendees.

Please register to attend. If you are attending online, joining details will be shared when you receive your ticket.

Speakers

PRESENTER

Colette Schefer-Peisker is a doctoral candidate at Prof. Dr. Norer's Chair of Public Law and Rural Law at the University of Lucerne. Her research focuses on animal welfare in slaughter. In addition to her dissertation, Colette has written several articles on animal welfare law, including on animal dignity and criminal animal welfare law. Alongside her research, Colette works as a lawyer in environmental consulting.

CHAIR

Dr Iyan Offor is an assistant professor in environmental law and sustainable development at the University of Birmingham and founding leader of the Multispecies Collective. Iyan is a critical socio-legal theorist conducting interdisciplinary research on multispecies legalities. His active research projects are: Solarpunk Narrative and Multispecies (Legal) Worlding; and Transqueer Ecological Justice. Iyan recently published his monograph Global Animal Law from the Margins. Iyan is editor for the Journal of International Wildlife Law & Policy and academic consultant for the UK Centre for Animal Law.

Hosts

The Multispecies Collective

The Multispecies Collective is a research group led by Birmingham Law School’s Dr Iyan Offor. The Multispecies Collective is a collaborative group of researchers working together with practitioners to create knowledge, theory and practice for positive change toward futures of flourishing for animals, nature and society. The collective’s work is guided by considerations of: multispecies flourishing, linking theory and practice, change-and future-oriented ways of working, interdisciplinary, and plural thinking. The collective aims to produce research and practice, maintain a community space, manage and connect with a network, share resources and generate impact all in the pursuit of multispecies flourishing. The collective connects with its network through its reading group, dialogue series, research showcase, and hosting platform. It manages a visiting research programme, PhD programme, and other opportunities.

BLS Environment & Sustainability Research Theme

The Environment & Sustainability Research Theme brings together Birmingham Law School researchers within the broad area of environment and sustainability, investigating how law can secure environmental justice—from intergenerational rights to multispecies flourishing—while turning research into real-world change. The theme creates space for cross-fertilisation of ideas to avoid treating environmental issues in siloes, applying a plurality of interdisciplinary perspectives including interactions between the sciences, the humanities and the social sciences. The theme's research is guided by four overarching enquiries into: environmental justice, care and theory; environmental conservation, preservation and natural resources; environmental risk, harm and regulation; and environmental law, protection and other regimes. The theme hosts various research projects and networks within this remit, connecting with its network via a research discussion series and other events.