Asalet Sancakdaroğlu is a freelance expert for Eyes on Animals and AWF and has been visiting slaughterhouses throughout Turkey since 2011. Today he interviewed two Islamic theologians (Dr. Prof. Hayri Kırbaşoğlu and Dr. Prof. Ilhami Güler) about whether animals could be rendered unconscious before slaughter and still be considered Halal meat. Both … [Read more...] about Discussions with Islam theologians in Turkey about the question of pre-stunning animals during slaughter
slaughterhouses
Unannounced visit of Dokkum mobile slaughter unit
Today an EonA team was in Friesland and decided to check on the new mobile slaughter units run by the owner of Dokkum cattle slaughterhouse. Three days a week, 4 of his “ mobile slaughter trucks” travel to farms in the 3 northern provinces, to slaughter cows that are no longer fit for transport, but still good for consumption. His mobile slaughter units are also used … [Read more...] about Unannounced visit of Dokkum mobile slaughter unit
Abattoir Noiseux, Marieville, Quebec, Canada
Today we dropped by, unannounced, at a small slaughterhouse in Marieville. We wanted to check on the conditions for the animals being slaughtered. We presented ourselves and our organization and were allowed in. They were not slaughtering anymore today but there were roughly 30 animals waiting in the lairage; small pigs, a bull, and goats. The lairage was well lit, had … [Read more...] about Abattoir Noiseux, Marieville, Quebec, Canada
DuCharme poultry slaughterhouse, Saint-Alphonse-de-Granby, Quebec
Today the Eyes on Animals and CCFA (Canadian Coalition for Farm Animals) team dropped by, unannounced, at the DuCharme poultry slaughterhouse to see how involved this company is with animal-welfare. We were not allowed to view the slaughter process today but after introducing our organizations and our aims, we were well received by the man in charge of Quality and Welfare … [Read more...] about DuCharme poultry slaughterhouse, Saint-Alphonse-de-Granby, Quebec
Olymel pig slaughterhouse, Saint-Esprit, Quebec, Canada
This afternoon we wanted to check on the welfare of pigs being transported to Olymel slaughterhouse in Saint-Esprit. We had heard from a couple of truck drivers that when they have a technical failure, the trucks arriving with pigs are forced to just wait, for hours and hours regardless if the temperatures outside are freezing cold or very hot. Their lairage is not big … [Read more...] about Olymel pig slaughterhouse, Saint-Esprit, Quebec, Canada
Vion cattle slaughterhouse, Leeuwarden, NL
Today we visited the new cattle slaughterhouse in Leeuwarden from the company Vion. The plant had received consultation before building it on animal-behaviour and the latest design tips and equipment available to lairage, herd, restrain and slaughter cattle. After all the horrors we have seen at cattle plants in Ghana and Turkey and some in Europe, we were relieved to … [Read more...] about Vion cattle slaughterhouse, Leeuwarden, NL
Visit of Pali pig slaughterhouse, Geldrop (NL)
Today we inspected Pali pig slaughterhouse. We were here during the heat wave last summer to see if there was a long line-up or not. We were pleased to see that pigs did not have to wait long before being unloaded, mostly because Pali runs their own logistics and trucks, and thus can coordinate arrival times easily. Today we were asked to come back to check on the entire … [Read more...] about Visit of Pali pig slaughterhouse, Geldrop (NL)
Visit to poultry slaughterhouse GPS in Nunspeet
Today Eyes on Animals visited poultry slaughterhouse GPS in Nunspeet. Various animal welfare measures had been implemented. There was blue light in the lairage. It is known that this has a calming effect on the chickens. The lairage can be cooled by means of fans with a misting system. Outside the abattoir there is a woody area where trucks can be in the shade … [Read more...] about Visit to poultry slaughterhouse GPS in Nunspeet
Tamale slaughterhouse, Ghana
Very disappointing news on our last day in Ghana : after one week of achieving significant improvements, today we hit a brick wall. The Board Members overseeing Tamale cattle slaughterhouse had confirmed to us yesterday that they understood the science and welfare advantages of pre-stunning animals before cutting their throats and wanted to modernize. They accepted our … [Read more...] about Tamale slaughterhouse, Ghana
Kumasi cattle and pig slaughterhouses, Ghana
Today we arrived at 5am at Kumasi slaughterhouse and first checked on the section where pigs are slaughtered. Pigs were grabbed from the lairage area and thrown, literally, over the gates. They fell hard on to the ground. They are then chased towards the kill area, which is full of old broken equipment (leftover from when a Canadian government organization had helped them … [Read more...] about Kumasi cattle and pig slaughterhouses, Ghana
