Good news

The improvement of chicken transport crates, one of the prime focuses of Eyes on Animals work, is something the poultry industry is now also interested in; so we heard from a reliable source. The industry is discussing and gathering information about the advantages and disadvantages of several shapes of crates and possible new designs that could improve welfare. We are … [Read more...] about April 2013 Attention for poultry transport crates

Since 20.03.2013 the Turkish border veterinarians are enforcing the EU maximum journey times for animals, as indicated in the EU animal-protection-during-transport regulation EC 1/2005. Previously, compliance with EU animal-protection laws played no role in the processing and acceptance of EU livestock trucks by the Turkish authorities. But since yesterday they are … [Read more...] about March 2013 Good news from Turkish border Kapikule!

Vion Groenlo has informed us that after our visit they improved their lairage by installing black rubber shock absorbers on the gates to reduce the noise when slamming them shut. Noise, particularly loud bangs, greatly add to the stress and fright level of animals in slaughterhouses. We thank Vion Groenlo for acting on this suggestion and doing something to improve … [Read more...] about Vion Groenlo slaughterhouse reduces noise level

Westfort pig slaughterhouse has installed video surveillance to monitor the behaviour of their employees towards the animals. Video surveillance in slaughterhouses has shown to have an immediate positive impact on the way employees handle the animals. The employees are more calm and careful and those having a bad day, think twice before letting it out on an innocent … [Read more...] about Westfort slaughterhouse installs videocamera surveillance

 Compaxo, a Dutch pig slaughterhouse, has responded very openly to some of our suggestions regarding improving conditions for "suspect" pigs. Suspect pigs are animals that are fit enough to be legally transported, but are lightly sick or injured. They are kept in separate pens at slaughterhouses, and usually only slaughtered at the end of the day to avoid any … [Read more...] about Dec 2011 Welfare improvements at Compaxo slaughterhouse

A new law was finally passed by the Dutch parliament requiring adult cattle on transit to slaughterhouses being given at least 25cm of headspace on the lorry. This was done because scientific studies and practical experience has shown that with less headspace cattle cannot stand up and move in a natural manner, and are often at risk of bruising and even seriously injuring … [Read more...] about Cattle receive adequate headroom during transport in Netherlands

Cooperl, France's largest pig slaughterhouse informed Eyes on Animals that they now place straw on the floor of the waiting pens designed for lightly injured and sick pigs. Throughout the EU, animals that cannot move without pain are not accepted for transport or slaughter. Nevertheless, there remain thousands of animals that arrive sick and weak, but are still "legally" … [Read more...] about Improvements at Cooperl pig slaughterhouse

As of today, transport companies caught in the Netherlands in violation of the animal-transport legislation will be forced to pay monetary administrative penalties. The amount of these fines will be between €500 for less serious violations to €6000 for serious animal suffering. MAP´s are advantages because they can be dealt quickly and directly by the nVWA, and not await … [Read more...] about Sept 2010 Minister Verburg implements administrative penalty system