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
slaughterhouses
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
Visit to poultry slaughterhouse Mieki in Hunsel
Today was very hot out so we brought an unannounced visit to to poultry slaughterhouse Mieki in Hunsel. Mieki is part of Van Miert in Breukelen. At the time of our visit (around 16:30) there was no more supply of chickens. We spoke briefly with a Mieki employee. He informed us that they stop the slaughter quite early in Hunsel. According to him, there were no problems with … [Read more...] about Visit to poultry slaughterhouse Mieki in Hunsel
Visit to pig slaughterhouse Pali in Geldrop (NL)
Today we made an unannounced visit to the Pali pig slaughterhouse in Geldrop. When we arrived (13:45) there was no activity. The manager told us that because of the extreme heat all the pigs had already been taken inside before 12 noon. He explained that their pig trucks never have to wait outside the plant. Pali has their own transporters (no external transport companies) … [Read more...] about Visit to pig slaughterhouse Pali in Geldrop (NL)
Visit to pig slaughterhouse Van Rooi
Today we made an unannounced visit to pig slaughterhouse Van Rooi in Helmond (NL) due to the recent extreme summer heat. We arrived around 12 noon, when the outside temperature had already reached 37 degrees Celsius in the sun and 33.5 degrees Celsius in the shade. Because the temperature in the shade is below 35 degrees Celsius the industries ‘heat protocol still allows … [Read more...] about Visit to pig slaughterhouse Van Rooi
Visit to Compaxo pig slaughterhouse in Zevenaar (NL)
Today we inspected Compaxo, a pig slaughterhouse in Zevenaar. Outside temperatures are 33 degrees Celsius in the shade and 37 degrees Celsius in the sun. Because the temperature is above 27 degrees Celsius the industry’s heat protocol is active. We are welcomed by two managers from Compaxo. They explain to us that the arrival of pigs is staggered over the course of the … [Read more...] about Visit to Compaxo pig slaughterhouse in Zevenaar (NL)
Visit to pig slaughterhouse VION in Boxtel during the heatwave
Because of the extreme heat we made an unannounced visit to slaughterhouse VION in Boxtel today. On arrival (10:45, 38 degrees Celsius) there were no less than 8 loaded pig trucks waiting in front of the slaughterhouse. The trucks were parked in direct sunlight. There were a few small fans and the asphalt was sprayed with water, however, these measures were inadequate to … [Read more...] about Visit to pig slaughterhouse VION in Boxtel during the heatwave
