An EonA team conducted an unannounced visit to Leeuwarden cull-cow market this late afternoon. We have been regularly visiting and trying to work with this market since 2004. Back then we regularly saw tethered cows tangled up in their ropes, downer cows being dragged by chains into small trucks, lactating cows dripping milk and not being milked, injured animals being … [Read more...] about Unannounced inspection of Leeuwarden cow market
Our inspections
Second meeting with the Calf Welfare Group to advise Flemish Minister of Animal Welfare
Today Dr. Ronald Rongen, on behalf of Eyes on Animals, participated in the second meeting of the Working Group on Calf Welfare, set up by the Flemish Council for Animal Welfare. The purpose of these meetings it to identify where calf welfare could and needs to be improved, and advise the Flemish Minister for Animals welfare on these things. … [Read more...] about Second meeting with the Calf Welfare Group to advise Flemish Minister of Animal Welfare
Unloading, handling and stunning of cattle at Gosschalk
Yesterday EonA dropped by Gosschalk abattoir to take a look at the unloading and slaughter of cows that Dutch dairy farmers cull and send away. The unloading at Gosschalk went calmly, and the handling via the raceway was with respect. When necessary, the staff worker used a cleaning-brush as a driving tool- he stroked and tapped the backs or hips of the cows … [Read more...] about Unloading, handling and stunning of cattle at Gosschalk
Eyes on Animals member of Calf Welfare Group to advise Flemish Minister of Animal Welfare
In 2023, the Flemish Council for Animal Welfare set up a working group to improve the welfare of calves. The working group will, among other things, advise the Flemish minister for animal welfare. The aim is to identify animal welfare bottlenecks in calf farming and to provide advice for improvement. Eyes on Animals has been asked to participate in the working group. This … [Read more...] about Eyes on Animals member of Calf Welfare Group to advise Flemish Minister of Animal Welfare
EonA speaks about livestock transportation during workshop organized by Toennies slaughterhouse
Today Eyes on Animals gave a presentation about livestock transportation as part of a workshop organized by slaughterhouse Toennies from Germany. In the audience there were several different stakeholders such as livestock traders, transportation companies, animal welfare organizations, official authorities, truck builders and supermarkets. We covered several … [Read more...] about EonA speaks about livestock transportation during workshop organized by Toennies slaughterhouse
A better life for pigs on small farm in Uganda
Positive news from Uganda! The Vegan Village NGO in Uganda, together with some help from Eyes on Animals, have built a much nicer pen for a lonely pig and found him a friend. This pig was kept all alone in a small wooden pen with a solid floor and no roof. No space to walk and no earth on the ground to root or wallow in which are extremely important behaviours for pigs to … [Read more...] about A better life for pigs on small farm in Uganda
Aeres field-study on catching broilers needs improvement
Today Eyes on Animals observed the catching and loading of broilers at the Aeres MBO school in Barneveld (NL). The catching and loading was part of a field-study of Aeres comparing two different catching methods: the traditional catching method (holding birds upside down by one leg) and an alternative method. Aeres calls this alternative method the ‘upright method’; … [Read more...] about Aeres field-study on catching broilers needs improvement
Visit to Kempense export-centre in Merksplas (BE)
Today we visited the Kempense export-centre at Merksplas in Belgium, where Irish calves were being held for export to Poland. Eyes on Animals is very critical of the export route that Irish calves undergo to mainland Europe. When exporting/importing Irish calves, the legal feeding intervals during these long journeys are systematically violated. … [Read more...] about Visit to Kempense export-centre in Merksplas (BE)
Follow-up inspection Kumasi slaughterhouse, Ghana
Today the EonA and WACPAW team in Ghana went to Kumasi Abattoir, one of the largest slaughterhouses in Ghana. Here, 300 cattle, 50 pigs and dozens of goats are slaughtered every day. It is a slaughterhouse that was built with money from the Canadian International Develoment Agency 25 years ago and back then was state of the art. However, many things no longer work and … [Read more...] about Follow-up inspection Kumasi slaughterhouse, Ghana
Follow-up inspection JFamco abattoir, Accra (Ghana)
Today the EonA and WACPAW team re-visited JFamco slaughterhouse in Accra, Ghana. We were first at this slaughterhouse in 2019 when goats and other animals were being thrown onto slatted-tables, often getting their legs caught and injured, to have their throats caught while fully conscious. At the time we showed the manager and staff what a captive bolt pistol was … [Read more...] about Follow-up inspection JFamco abattoir, Accra (Ghana)
