Great news from Turkey : Yet another Imam in Turkey is publicly promoting that animals be rendered first unconscious during slaughter and that stunners are perfectly acceptable in Islam. Animals should not be slaughtered by a knife to their throat while fully conscious and sentient. Eyes on Animals first met him 3 years ago to discuss this topic and 2 weeks ago, together … [Read more...] about Yet another Imam in Turkey speaks publicy in favour of stunning animals before cutting their throats
Good news
Immunocastration of male piglets contrary to belief IS good and is allowed
The main reason millions of piglets in Europe, even in the organic pork industry, continue to be surgically castrated (a painful procedure with a lot of after-pain) is because intact boars have a small chance of developing boar taint by the time they reach “slaughter” age. This means that the overwhelming majority of boar piglets continue to be painfully castrated for no … [Read more...] about Immunocastration of male piglets contrary to belief IS good and is allowed
Misting under the canopy at VION in Boxtel
On the advice of Eyes on Animals, misting systems have been installed on one side of the canopy covered waiting area for the waiting pig trucks at VION in Boxtel. Large fans now blow mist over and through the trucks. The misting system, in combination with large fans to prevent excessive humidity, makes it much more comfortable for the pigs under the canopy. It is … [Read more...] about Misting under the canopy at VION in Boxtel
Thumbs up to Van Loon’s decision last year
Thumbs up to Van Loon’s decision last year to offer a market to a Dutch organic pig farm (father and son) that wanted to stop castrating their organic piglets. Van Loon purchases, for a fair price, their intact boars and processes them through their Best Star Meat selection (the better-welfare label from Van Loon). We greatly applaud Best Star Meats from Van Loon for … [Read more...] about Thumbs up to Van Loon’s decision last year
EonA invited to talk at NVWA Animal Conference (NL)
The NVWA (Dutch government body in charge of enforcing animal-welfare law) invited Eyes on Animals to their Animal Conference today. 160 official animal-welfare inspectors were present. We gave 3 workshop sessions and then participated in a panel discussion. We brought up topics that we think need to be given more attention by the nvwa, gave illustrations of positive … [Read more...] about EonA invited to talk at NVWA Animal Conference (NL)
Spreading better practices to French pig abattoirs
Today we were visited by 4 French managers of a large pork company which has 3 slaughterhouses in France, one of which uses electric stunning. They visited us in order to see the improvements we made at a large Dutch pig abattoir and see if they could put some of the better practices in place in their own abattoirs. We started with a short introduction, presented a film … [Read more...] about Spreading better practices to French pig abattoirs
Another step forward at Tamale abattoir, Ghana
WACPAW and EonA have been busy trying to reduce some of the horrific suffering at the slaughterhouse in Tamale, Ghana. Here cattle too weak or injured to walk are dragged into the slaughterhouse by a rope tied around their neck. Broken pelvis, broken leg... it does not matter. We have built trolleys and the board of the abattoir is willing to use them - soon downer animals … [Read more...] about Another step forward at Tamale abattoir, Ghana
Leeuwarden (NL) animal market has good facilities
Eyes on Animals is not a fan of livestock markets, as this stopover adds to the stress of animals in transit from farm to slaughter. However, we must admit that Leeuwarden animal market has at least invested in very good facilities, much better than other markets we have inspected. All animals are loosely housed in pens and never tethered. The entire floor is covered in … [Read more...] about Leeuwarden (NL) animal market has good facilities
Beerten piglet-slaughterhouse in Zieuwent (NL) has closed it’s doors
Beerten Slaughterhouse in Zieuwent, where mainly piglets are slaughtered, has closed it’s doors. The main reason for this decision is due to the stricter monitoring and enforcement by NVWA and rising energy costs. Eyes on Animals visited Beerten at the end of 2019 and noted several malpractices. Piglets were not stunned and bled adequately. We also … [Read more...] about Beerten piglet-slaughterhouse in Zieuwent (NL) has closed it’s doors
Consultation with ministries LNV and SZW regarding implementation Futselaar motion
This afternoon Eyes on Animals was in The Hague at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment.We met with the Minister of Agriculture (Piet Adema) and the Minister of Social Affairs and Employment (Karien van Gennip). Follow up on the progress after the implementation of the Futselaar Motion. Other participants were people from the meat industry, trade unions and … [Read more...] about Consultation with ministries LNV and SZW regarding implementation Futselaar motion
