Today we paid a visit to Ketelaars assembly-center in Heeswijk-Dinther (NL). This company gathers sows for slaughterhouses domestic and abroad, including VION. The owner made time to talk to us about the new EU guidelines and gave us a short tour of the facility. At the time of our visit only 15 sows were present, confined in a pen without any bedding. … [Read more...] about Visit to export assembly-center Ketelaars in Heeswijk-Dinther (NL)
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Visit to export assembly center Van den Boogaart in Veghel
Today, by appointment, we visited the export assembly center Van den Boogaart in Veghel. About 80 sows and several hundred piglets were gathered by PALI Group. The moving and loading of the sows went very well. The sows were not chased but were given the time to walk. In the raceway there were woodchips for a non-skid effect, and to reduce sharp colour contrasts … [Read more...] about Visit to export assembly center Van den Boogaart in Veghel
Some pig assembly centers allow and some do not allow EonA to visit
In recent years Eyes on Animals has visited several assembly centers for sows and piglets in the Netherlands. Sows and piglets are collected from different farms and gathered at these centers to be sent to slaughterhouses abroad. They are sent for slaughter because they are less productive or have (small) abnormalities. For sows it often concerns fertility issues, … [Read more...] about Some pig assembly centers allow and some do not allow EonA to visit
Visit to pig collecting centre in connection with dispute with NVWA (Dutch authorities)
Tonight Eyes on Animals received a call from the owner of a Dutch pig export assembly centre. He was stuck with a big delivery of piglets. The owner told us the pigs were due to be exported to a German slaughterhouse, but the official governmental veterinarians (from the NVWA) left without signing the export certificate, resulting in the piglets having to remain at his … [Read more...] about Visit to pig collecting centre in connection with dispute with NVWA (Dutch authorities)
Visit to Leeuwarden cull-cow market, NL
Eyes on Animals conducted an unannounced visit to Leeuwarden cull-cow and bull market yesterday, in the Netherlands. We have been working at this market for years, ever since we saw downers being dragged onto trucks there 15 years ago and animals tethered tightly onto railings, unable to lie down. It is much better now and recently they moved to a new location, where they … [Read more...] about Visit to Leeuwarden cull-cow market, NL