Lesley (EonA) and Dennis (animal welfare officer at the Dutch pig slaughterhouse EonA works closely with to bring out the full potential of electric stunning) spoke at a big animal-welfare seminar in Tokyo today. Hosted by JAMTI (the umbrella organization representing 200 Japanese slaughterhouses and that hired us to come), it brought together around 100 professionals from … [Read more...] about Seminar on Slaughterhouse Improvements, Tokyo, Japan
slaughterhouses
Japan- visit and advice given to a pig slaughterhouse in south part
At the slaughterhouse today, as part of our welfare-mission with JAMTI, 200 pigs per hour are slaughtered. What was new to us was seeing pigs moved towards the automatic restraint for stunning by a moving floor and moving side walls, without any need for electric stimulation. This was very positive. Some equipment details posed injury risks, but rubber protection and … [Read more...] about Japan- visit and advice given to a pig slaughterhouse in south part
Japan- Inspection and consultation of cattle slaughterhouse in south Japan
Today, thanks to JAMTI, we were at a cattle slaughterhouse in the south of Japan where animals are treated calmly and with as much respect as possible. They were wagyu cattle and the plant was among the calmest we have seen. Specialized and skilled lairage caretakers monitor the welfare and conditions for cattle. They wash the cattlle, keep the animals' water troughs … [Read more...] about Japan- Inspection and consultation of cattle slaughterhouse in south Japan
Hosting of large pork company, scientist and official from abroad to see Improved Automatic Electric stunning system as alternative to CO2
Today we hosted a visit at the slaughterhouse where, together with the slaughterhouse team and Dr. Temple Grandin, we developed an improved new automatic electric stunning system - to show that there are practical alternatives to the more painful CO₂ gas stunning. We started this work because inhaling CO₂ causes distress and suffering, while we saw that there was still … [Read more...] about Hosting of large pork company, scientist and official from abroad to see Improved Automatic Electric stunning system as alternative to CO2
Visit to a poultry slaughterhouse in the Dutch province of North Holland on a hot day
Today, we visited a large broiler slaughterhouse in the Dutch province of North Holland. Due to the hot weather, we wanted to see what measures the slaughterhouse had taken to prevent heat stress as much as possible. One truck parked in the sun outside the canopyWe first drove to a parking area a few kilometres from the slaughterhouse, where poultry truck drivers have … [Read more...] about Visit to a poultry slaughterhouse in the Dutch province of North Holland on a hot day
Visit to a poultry slaughterhouse in Overijssel on a hot day
Today, we paid an unannounced visit to a broiler slaughterhouse in Overijssel, the Netherlands. With temperatures reaching around 30 °C, we wanted to see whether the slaughterhouse had taken measures to prevent heat stress as much as possible, such as reducing loading densities and carefully planning arrivals to avoid waiting times. We also wanted to see the facilities in … [Read more...] about Visit to a poultry slaughterhouse in Overijssel on a hot day
Visit to Westfort slaughterhouse in IJsselstein (NL) on a hot summer day
This morning and early afternoon, Eyes on Animals visited the Westfort pig slaughterhouse in IJsselstein, the Netherlands. Due to the hot weather, approximately 1,000 fewer pigs were slaughtered today than usual. At around 11:15 a.m., the temperature outside in direct sunlight was approximately 32°C, with a relative humidity of around 45%. Under the unloading … [Read more...] about Visit to Westfort slaughterhouse in IJsselstein (NL) on a hot summer day
Visit to Clazing poultry slaughterhouse in Breukelen (NL) on a hot summer day
Today we made an unannounced visit to Clazing poultry slaughterhouse in Breukelen, the Netherlands. Our aim was to see what measures had been put in place to reduce heat stress in the broilers arriving and lairaged at the plant. We were openly welcomed by the plant manager, who appreciated that we approached the conversation respectfully and constructively. He gave us … [Read more...] about Visit to Clazing poultry slaughterhouse in Breukelen (NL) on a hot summer day
Visit to VION slaughterhouse in Boxtel during Code Red
Today we visited the VION slaughterhouse in Boxtel to see how the slaughterhouse and transport companies were responding to the extreme heat. VION had implemented several measures to reduce heat stress. Around 9,500 pigs were slaughtered today instead of the usual 16,000, allowing all pigs to arrive before 12:00. This prevented transport during temperatures above 35°C, … [Read more...] about Visit to VION slaughterhouse in Boxtel during Code Red
Visit to Van Rooi pig slaughterhouse in Helmond during tropical temperatures
On 25 June, we visited the Van Rooi pig slaughterhouse in Helmond (NL) during a period of extreme heat. We wanted to see what measures had been taken to reduce heat stress and how long pigs had to remain in the trucks before they could be unloaded. Canopy with misting systems and ventilation provides cooling Van Rooi has a large canopy where livestock trucks wait … [Read more...] about Visit to Van Rooi pig slaughterhouse in Helmond during tropical temperatures
