Today, Eyes on Animals conducted an unannounced visit to the Van Rooi assembly center in Lieshout. The purpose of our visit was to gain more insight into the export of slaughter pigs and sows. These so-called “end-of-career animals” deserve extra attention in our view, as their condition is often suboptimal. Sows are usually culled due to fertility problems or reduced … [Read more...] about Visit to Van Rooi assembly center in Lieshout (NL): focus on slaughter piglets
Our inspections
Visit to FamilyBeef cattle slaughterhouse in Epe (NL)
Today Eyes on Animals and MHS Consultancy visited the cattle slaughterhouse FamilyBeef in Epe, formerly known as Gosschalk. Since its acquisition by FamilyBeef, the facility has stopped slaughtering pigs and now exclusively slaughters cattle (including dairy cows and calves). During our visit, we assessed the waiting pens, raceways, stunning, and bleeding processes. … [Read more...] about Visit to FamilyBeef cattle slaughterhouse in Epe (NL)
Animal-welfare training to animal farmers in Bodom, Ghana
Today the WACPAW/EonA team visited Bodom in Ghana’s Bono East region to continue our animal welfare education program, partnered with Mariah Walton (USAID Peace Corps Volunteer). We engaged 60 farmers, including 16 women farmers, sharing practical ways to improve the welfare of their farm animals. The farmers were open, eager to learn, and pledged to handle their … [Read more...] about Animal-welfare training to animal farmers in Bodom, Ghana
Presentation on chicken catching at major conference for veterinarians and inspectors in Hannover
Today, we had the honor of being the first to present at a major conference in Hannover for German veterinarians and slaughterhouse inspectors! Our presentation focused on an important yet often overlooked topic: the catching and loading of poultry for transport. We shared our findings on how the design of transport crates and containers affects the risk of catching … [Read more...] about Presentation on chicken catching at major conference for veterinarians and inspectors in Hannover
Presentation to official Dutch slaughterhouse inspectors about new improved electric pig stunning design (as more humane alternative to CO2 gas)
Today we talked to slaughterhouse inspectors from the Dutch government (NVWA) about how we, together with Dr. Temple Grandin in our team, helped redesign a large pig slaughterhouse to drastically improve automatic electric stunning in order to create a viable, realistic and more humane stunning method to CO2 gas stunning so that we can finally phase out the need for CO2 … [Read more...] about Presentation to official Dutch slaughterhouse inspectors about new improved electric pig stunning design (as more humane alternative to CO2 gas)
Installation of electric stunner at Halal sheep abattoir in Istanbul, Turkije
After the horrible disappointment of not being able to help the 47 Romanian cattle stuck at the EU/Turkey border (where they were left to wait for 2 weeks and then slaughtered while fully conscious at a slaughterhouse in Edirne that did not allow us in to at least stun the animals first), we have some better news. Today Asalet and Jack from Eyes on Animals set up an … [Read more...] about Installation of electric stunner at Halal sheep abattoir in Istanbul, Turkije
Romanian cattle stuck 2 weeks inside No Man’s Land at EU/Turkey border
Forty-seven breeding heifers from Romania were stuck at the EU/Turkish border since 18 October. Despite Animals' Angels & AWF doing their very best by repeatedly contacting the EU and Turkish authorities, plus the buyer, seller and transporter, these animals were left for 2 weeks in No Man's Land while conditions for them on board got worse and worse. In total 6 cattle … [Read more...] about Romanian cattle stuck 2 weeks inside No Man’s Land at EU/Turkey border
Introducing and teaching electric stunning at sheep slaughterhouses in Turkey
Hopeful news! We have successfully convinced another slaughterhouse in Turkey to adopt stunning- a sheep slaughterhouse is ready to electric stun the sheep to render them unconscious before restraining and slaughtering them. In Turkey it is common to hoist animals alive and hang them up by one leg fully off the floor, and then they have their throats cut while fully … [Read more...] about Introducing and teaching electric stunning at sheep slaughterhouses in Turkey
Hosting of German pig slaughterhouse manager to large pig slaughterhouse that we helped redesign
Today the Eyes on Animals team hosted a visit to a large pig slaughterhouse with a brand new and improved automatic electric stunning design in place. Eyes on Animals worked on the new design with the slaughterhouse in question 3.5 years ago and for the past 2 years it is up and running. We worked on this project to help create a better and viable alternative to the … [Read more...] about Hosting of German pig slaughterhouse manager to large pig slaughterhouse that we helped redesign
Work at Buipe cattle market, Ghana
Last week the Wacpaw/EonA team visited the Buipe livestock market in Ghana’s Savannah Region, one of the country's largest. Every Monday, 800 to 1000 cattle are brought in from across Ghana and neighboring countries like Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso, with over 60 trucks leaving the market for various destinations. The transport methods—three-wheel mini trucks, Kia trucks, … [Read more...] about Work at Buipe cattle market, Ghana
