Today, Eyes on Animals visited Van Kemenade, a small-scale pig slaughterhouse in the Netherlands, to assess animal handling, lairage conditions, and stunning practices. This facility slaughters pigs from Dutch farms that are no longer considered suitable for further fattening due to health problems, including umbilical hernias, abscesses, or bite wounds. Without a local … [Read more...] about Visit to Van Kemenade pig slaughterhouse
slaughterhouses
Visit to laying hen slaughterhouse in Flanders
Today, we paid a visit to a large slaughterhouse in Flanders, where laying hens from the Netherlands, France, Germany and Belgium are processed. Our aim was to observe the measures in place to prevent heat stress and to raise concerns about the containers in which part of the hens are transported. After a productive discussion, we were given access to observe the lairage, … [Read more...] about Visit to laying hen slaughterhouse in Flanders
Visit to poultry slaughterhouse Wilki in Ravels (Belgium)
Today, our team made an unannounced visit to slaughterhouse Wilki in Ravels, where large numbers of Dutch laying hens are slaughtered. At our suggestion, Wilki previously installed a canopy for poultry trucks. In warm weather, loaded trucks can wait here instead of standing in direct sunlight. We inspected the canopy today: it accommodates 2–3 trucks and is equipped … [Read more...] about Visit to poultry slaughterhouse Wilki in Ravels (Belgium)
EonA at the final PigStun Project conference, Brussels
Eyes on Animals attended the final PigStun conference in Brussels. PigStun is an EU-funded project led by scientists to explore alternative stunning methods to high-concentration CO2 gas for rendering pigs unconscious before slaughter in high-throughput facilities. This study is important because CO2 gas is painful for pigs; it’s highly acidic, causing irritation to the … [Read more...] about EonA at the final PigStun Project conference, Brussels
EonA gives talk at French Ministry on new pig stunning option we worked on that causes less pain and stress
We presented our project on redesigning a large pig abattoir in western Europe, that we worked on with the manager and with Temple Grandin in our team, to reduce pig suffering during slaughter. Together we greatly improved automatic electric stunning, and this method is now a viable alternative to CO2-gas stunning and will have an impact on reducing the suffering for … [Read more...] about EonA gives talk at French Ministry on new pig stunning option we worked on that causes less pain and stress
Say no to long-distance transport of young piglets: transport meat, not live animals
By: Marjolein van Huik, Senior Policy Officer Livestock Farming at The Dutch Society for the Protection of Animals, Madelaine Looije, Inspector at Eyes on Animals What happens to piglets deemed unsuitable for raising as finisher pigs? Tragically, these animals are not only sent to slaughter at a very young age but must also endure long and stressful journeys to get … [Read more...] about Say no to long-distance transport of young piglets: transport meat, not live animals
Visit to Mulder sheep and goat slaughterhouse in Twello (NL)
Today, we paid a scheduled visit to the Mulder slaughterhouse in Twello. With input from Eyes on Animals, Mulder has implemented various improvements to create a calmer, more controlled handling and stunning process, reducing stress for the animals and minimizing errors. During our visit we watched camera surveillance footage from previous days and walked through the … [Read more...] about Visit to Mulder sheep and goat slaughterhouse in Twello (NL)
EonA gives a talk to FVE on our improved pig electric-stunning design (to help phase out CO2 gas)
Eyes on Animals gave a talk today to 36 veterinarians at the FVE (Federation of Veterinarians of Europe ). The international audience was made out of veterinarians working as official inspectors from governments across Europe. We started off about the pain and panic pigs experience when CO2-gas is used to stun pigs at large pig slaughterhouses and the need for a more … [Read more...] about EonA gives a talk to FVE on our improved pig electric-stunning design (to help phase out CO2 gas)
Visit to VION cattle and pig slaughterhouse in Crailsheim, Germany
Today, Eyes on Animals visited a large pig and cattle slaughterhouse of VION in Crailsheim, Germany. Despite arriving without an appointment, the manager immediately made time for us. This allowed us to dive into key topics, including public concerns about CO₂ stunning for pigs and our work on a less stressful alternative: an optimized automatic electrical stunning system. … [Read more...] about Visit to VION cattle and pig slaughterhouse in Crailsheim, Germany
Unannounced visit to piglet slaughterhouse Beck in Kupferzell, Germany
Today, Eyes on Animals conducted an unannounced visit to a large slaughterhouse in Germany specializing in piglets. This facility often processes piglets with minor abnormalities, such as navel hernias, swollen joints, or bitten tails. These conditions can impair growth, potentially worsen, or require medical treatment, making early slaughter the most cost-effective … [Read more...] about Unannounced visit to piglet slaughterhouse Beck in Kupferzell, Germany
