Today, together with Safian Abdul Rahman (director of the Ghanaian organisation WACPAW), we visited slaughterhouse Feenstra in Drachten (NL). Feenstra is a small slaughterhouse where pigs are calmly handled and manually stunned in their group. Because of this, stress is kept to a minimum. We wanted to show this to Safian so he could take this knowledge back to Ghana. … [Read more...] about EonA and WACPAW visit pig slaughterhouse Feenstra in Drachten (NL)
slaughterhouses
Unannounced visit to slaughterhouse Gosschalk in Epe (NL)
Following our advice, slaughterhouse Gosschalk has implemented several improvements to reduce the stress level among the pigs. To further improve, Gosschalk gave us permission to also conduct unannounced inspections at their location. Today was the first inspection. The inspection today was done based on camera-footage, both live and stored images … [Read more...] about Unannounced visit to slaughterhouse Gosschalk in Epe (NL)
Revisit of Pali slaughterhouse to see the adjustments they made
Today Eyes on Animals visited Pali slaughterhouse in Geldrop (NL). Since our first visit in 2018 Pali has put several of our recommendations into practice. They closed the sides of the raceway to prevent distractions, have improved the light in the single file raceway, hung up several banners to improve handling and improved the pen for suspect-pigs. They also changed the … [Read more...] about Revisit of Pali slaughterhouse to see the adjustments they made
Revisit of Agri4+ slaughterhouse to see the implemented improvements
Today we revisited Agri4+ slaughterhouse in Lichtenvoorde (NL). On our recommendation they have made adjustments to their stunning-pen. It was made smaller; in smaller groups, pigs experience less stress and the waiting times are shorter. The floor was made anti-slip to reduce chances of pigs slipping and injuring themselves. We are pleased this slaughterhouse has put our … [Read more...] about Revisit of Agri4+ slaughterhouse to see the implemented improvements
Disappointing meetings with Ministry of Agriculture, Halal Acreditation Agency and Halal Standards inTurkey
Today was a very disappointing day in Turkey and showed us again how humans take advantage of every opportunity to make money, at the cost of animal welfare. Asalet went to 3 organizations in Ankara (the Ministry of Agriculture, the Halal Accreditation Agency and TSE-Halal standards) to show them the way animals are tortured in Turkish slaughterhouses, where they are … [Read more...] about Disappointing meetings with Ministry of Agriculture, Halal Acreditation Agency and Halal Standards inTurkey
Inspection and stunning at a slaughterhouse near Balikesir, Turkey
Today brought us hope again. We dropped by a slaughterplant near Balikesir. We explained our work to the director and showed him how a captive bolt stunner works. The director learned how to use it and is convinced now that it is better to render the animals unconscious first before cutting them then cutting their throats while still conscious. He used it well on all … [Read more...] about Inspection and stunning at a slaughterhouse near Balikesir, Turkey
Meeting and visit of slaughterhouse in Ödemiş, Turkey
At this slaughterhouse 100km east of Izmir where we were this morning, they were at first letting the cattle out of the restraint box immediately after cutting their throats open. It was horrible as cattle remain alive and fully sensitive to pain for at least 40 seconds and often even for several minutes after being cut. A lot of blood has to first come out before they … [Read more...] about Meeting and visit of slaughterhouse in Ödemiş, Turkey
Follow-up visit to slaughterhouse in Gönen, Turkey
Disappointing news. The slaughterhouse in Gönen that we leased a stunner to, and taught the workers how to use last October, sadly no longer use it. This morning they returned the captive bolt stunner to us! All the workers were in favour of rendering the animals unconscious before cutting their throats, and felt better doing so, but their customers are worried that they … [Read more...] about Follow-up visit to slaughterhouse in Gönen, Turkey
Inspection of sheep slaughter at a slaughterhouse near Tekirdag, Turkey
Today we visited a slaughterhouse that leased one of our stunners 2 years ago to render the cattle unconscious before slaughter. The chief butcher is a strong supporter of the captive bolt stunner and uses it as often as he can to stun cattle first. He cannot use it on all cattle as in Turkey the owner of the animal decides, there is no national legislation making stunning … [Read more...] about Inspection of sheep slaughter at a slaughterhouse near Tekirdag, Turkey
Meeting with large Turkish animal-welfare NGO Haytap
We are back in Turkey to do follow-up checks on the slaughterhouses that we had leased a stunner to and taught the employees how to render animals unconscious first with it before cutting their throats. However, this week we are also meeting with NGOs and meat companies, so that they also put pressure on slaughterhouses in Turkey to clean up their act. This morning we met … [Read more...] about Meeting with large Turkish animal-welfare NGO Haytap
