Eyes on Animals visited this pig slaughterhouse in the summer of 2016 (many Dutch pigs are slaughtered here) and noticed that many animals had to wait on board trucks, in the sun, for hours before being unloaded. We spoke with the director and insisted immediate measures be taken to reduce some of the heat stress risks. The first thing they should do is order industrial … [Read more...] about Slaughterhouse Weidemark (Germany) makes changes to reduce heat stress
Good news
Rondeel chickens first to be caught and loaded in a more friendly manner
Chickens will no longer be grabbed by their legs, hung upside down and stuffed into transport crates 4 to 5 at a time when they leave the farm to go to the slaughterhouse. Eyes on Animals has introduced the 'EonA Dutch catching method' to the Dutch poultry industry. Dutch poultry and egg farm "Rondeel" is the first to switch over. Organic, free range, barn and caged … [Read more...] about Rondeel chickens first to be caught and loaded in a more friendly manner
Less noise in restraining box Vitelco calf slaughterhouse
Slaughterhouse Vitelco has adjusted their restraining box from pneumatics towards hydraulic. This resulted in a significant noise reduction. This is an important step for animal welfare because noise, especially sudden and hissing ones, can cause a lot of stress in cattle. It makes them balk and too scared to enter the box. Loud sporadic noise can also make animals inside … [Read more...] about Less noise in restraining box Vitelco calf slaughterhouse
Wouters slaughterhouse reduces stress in their slaughterhouse
Wouters has made some improvements in their slaughterhouse to reduce stress amongst the cattle. At Wouters cattle are slaughtered for the Halal market. They first have their throats cut and only after are stunned with a captive bolt pistol (to render them unconscious and no longer sensible to pain). In order to easily access the throat to make the cut, the cattle’s heads … [Read more...] about Wouters slaughterhouse reduces stress in their slaughterhouse
Improvements at cattle slaughterhouse Flanders (BE)
Eyes on Animals visited the Flanders cattle slaughterhouse of Flanders Meat Group in Zele, Belgium, at the invitation of the veterinarian. We encountered some problems that could be improved. The veterinarian himself also had some ideas and so we were able to combine our findings. After our visit he energetically proceeded to put the improvements into place. Some … [Read more...] about Improvements at cattle slaughterhouse Flanders (BE)
Poultry slaughterhouse Remkes reduces stress during stunning and transport
As a result of our inspection, poultry slaughterhouse Remkes in Epe has extended the gas tunnel so that the exposure to CO2 is less abrupt and causes a little less panic. However, we continue to encourage industry and science to find alternatives to CO2 as this gas is aversive. Earlier this year, this slaughterhouse also fixed the conveyer belt on our advice - so that the … [Read more...] about Poultry slaughterhouse Remkes reduces stress during stunning and transport
Slaughterhouse in The Netherlands donates captive-bolt pistol to EonA
Slaughterhouse ESA donated today a captive bolt pistol to Eyes on Animals so that we can help animals in countries we work in where there is not enough money for equipment or knowledge about the importance of rendering animals unconscious before slaughter. Slaughtering animals by cutting their throat while still fully conscious and bleeding them out causes intense pain and … [Read more...] about Slaughterhouse in The Netherlands donates captive-bolt pistol to EonA
German study opts for maximum transport time calves of 8 hours
Recently a critical article / literature study was published in the leading German Magazine “Amtstierärtztlicher Dienst und Lebensmittelcontrolle” about the long-distance transport of unweaned calves. The conclusion was that the long-distance transport, along with starvation (caused by insufficient drinking- and food facilities inside the trucks) are a serious stressor … [Read more...] about German study opts for maximum transport time calves of 8 hours
Knowledge on how to keep calves with their mothers bundled in scientific brochure
WUR and Louis Bolk, two leading scientific research centers in the Netherlands, have worked on a report about the success factors, advantages and challenges to overcome of keeping calves together with their mothers on dairy farms instead of separating them after birth. This report was made due to a broadcast on Radar, a popular Dutch TV show, where Eyes on Animals was … [Read more...] about Knowledge on how to keep calves with their mothers bundled in scientific brochure
Lobby EonA results in Minister Schouten promising a civil dialogue
The lobby letter that EonA wrote and sent to the Dutch House of Representatives (in preparation for the General discussion on animal-welfare on February 7th) resulted in Minister Schouten promising a critical dialogue about the future of the goat-milk industry and factory farming in general. Other topics that were discussed during the General discussion where the CO2 … [Read more...] about Lobby EonA results in Minister Schouten promising a civil dialogue
