Today, Eyes on Animals visited the Vion pig slaughterhouse in Groenlo, NL, where a major renovation has recently taken place. At Vion Groenlo, approximately 550 pigs per hour are stunned using CO2 gas, and the facility slaughters both conventional pigs and concept pigs, such as organic. Implemented recommendations We’re pleased to report that several recommendations … [Read more...] about Visit to Vion pig slaughterhouse in Groenlo (NL)
slaughterhouses
Heat-stress inspections of Dutch and German pig trucks arriving at Simon abattoir in Germany
Today Eyes on Animals was in Germany checking on Dutch and German pigs arriving by truck at Simon slaughterhouse in Wittlich. We were working with the German NGO Animal Welfare Foundation. It was bloody hot and humid out. We wanted to see if Simon abattoir had infrastructure in place so that pig trucks arriving could immediately park in the shade and be cooled down. … [Read more...] about Heat-stress inspections of Dutch and German pig trucks arriving at Simon abattoir in Germany
Heat stress inspection at Van Rooi pig slaughterhouse in Helmond (NL)
Today (31°C in the shade, 35°C in the sun), we visited Van Rooi pig slaughterhouse in Helmond. Although the afternoon shift was canceled due to the heat, which is a positive step, it remained very busy until at least 4:00 PM. There were as many as nine trucks, loaded with pigs, waiting under the canopy. Waiting times extended to an hour or more. Even though no pigs were … [Read more...] about Heat stress inspection at Van Rooi pig slaughterhouse in Helmond (NL)
Inspection on a hot day at Vion pig slaughterhouse in Boxtel
Today, Eyes on Animals was on the road again due to the extreme heat. In the afternoon, around 1:30 PM, we visited VION in Boxtel to check if, like the previous week, there were any stationary pig trucks waiting along the public road in the sun. Fortunately, this was not the case. There were also no trucks parked under the canopy. During our visit, one … [Read more...] about Inspection on a hot day at Vion pig slaughterhouse in Boxtel
Inspection of welfare of pigs waiting at Vion abattoir in Boxtel, NL
It is hot and humid out so EonA was in the field to check on pigs arriving at Vion in Boxtel. The good news is that the canopy Vion built around six years ago is continually improving. They've added another screen to block the sun's rays on the other side, as well as set up extra fans and water-misters. They've also set up a large digital billboard to remind the … [Read more...] about Inspection of welfare of pigs waiting at Vion abattoir in Boxtel, NL
USAID accompanies us on a follow-up inspection of Kumasi abattoir, Ghana
The WACPAW/EonA team returned to Kumasi abattoir again. Kumasi abattoir is a very large cattle, pig and goat abattoir in Ghana with on-going serious welfare problems. We trained the use of captive bolt stunners there several years ago, and have stunning implemented for the pigs, where they used to be clubbed repeatedly on their heads, but still downers are dragged, … [Read more...] about USAID accompanies us on a follow-up inspection of Kumasi abattoir, Ghana
Training on how to stun poultry before slaughter, Accra (Ghana)
WACPAW/ EonA team had recently installed cone restrainers and imported a poultry stunner (zephyr) from the USA for a slaughterhouse in Accra, Ghana. Previously we had observed very inhumane methods of poultry slaughter at this plant but the manager was willing to learn how things could be improved. As of today the birds could be rendered unconscious first before having … [Read more...] about Training on how to stun poultry before slaughter, Accra (Ghana)
Training presentation for Japanese Meat Technology Institute and Japanese pig abattoirs on how to improve electric stunning (and avoid CO2)
Eyes on Animals met with delegates from JAMTI (Japan Meat Technology Institute), university researchers and several managers from pig abattoirs in Japan to discuss how pig slaughter could be improved so that suffering and stress are decreased. The focus of our presentation was on a project we carried out at making high-through put automatic electric stunning much more … [Read more...] about Training presentation for Japanese Meat Technology Institute and Japanese pig abattoirs on how to improve electric stunning (and avoid CO2)
EonA/WACPAW gets chicken held upright instead of upside down at festive slaughter day, Ghana
The WACPAW/EonA team were at the "festive chicken slaughter day" in Kumasi, Ghana. We were there to put a stop to chickens being held upside down by their legs. We taught the workers the importance of keeping poultry upright (chickens are not bats and do not have a diaphragm, being inverted is very scary and painful for poultry) and showed them how to carry the birds … [Read more...] about EonA/WACPAW gets chicken held upright instead of upside down at festive slaughter day, Ghana
Follow-up visit to Ampomaa pig farm and slaughter slab
Today a team from WACPAW/EonA conducted a follow-up visit at Ampomaa pig farm and slaughter-slab. This was the place where we were last year to teach them how to use captive bolt stunners and to give them a captive bolt stunner. We do this so that we can bring an end to the pigs being clubbed to death. The guys at the farm are now stunning each pig first, to render them … [Read more...] about Follow-up visit to Ampomaa pig farm and slaughter slab
