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
slaughterhouses
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
Practical training at Cape Coast commercial slaughterhouse, Ghana
Last year some of the employees from Cape Coast commercial slaughterhouse participated in the Eyes on Animals and WACPAW theory training on how to reduce suffering during slaughter. This year EonA and WACPAW returned to their slaughterhouse to see if they were willing to make improvements. We were positively surprised - they are now completely convinced that stunning … [Read more...] about Practical training at Cape Coast commercial slaughterhouse, Ghana
Training on how to reduce suffering during slaughter in Cape Coast, Ghana
In Ghana, like most African countries, animals are not stunned before having their throats cut. Captive bolts or other stunning equipment is not available there or known. Today we (Eyes on Animals and WACPAW) gave a training course to 20 slaughtermen and agricultural students about the importance of rendering animals unconscious before slaughter in order to reduce some of … [Read more...] about Training on how to reduce suffering during slaughter in Cape Coast, Ghana
Visit to duck slaughterhouse Tomassen in Ermelo
Today our team visited duck slaughterhouse Tomassen in Ermelo. Tomassen is the only duck slaughterhouse in the Netherlands. The duck meat is largely exported to Western Europe. They also serve the Asian market. A small part goes to Dutch supermarkets and catering. At Tomassen, ducks are stunned with an electric water bath. There is a lot of discussion about this stunning … [Read more...] about Visit to duck slaughterhouse Tomassen in Ermelo
