Today, Eyes on Animals gave a presentation to official veterinarians from the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA), working at assembly centers and slaughterhouses. We shared our working methods, key findings, and areas that, in our view, require more attention, including: It was an open and constructive exchange with NVWA veterinarians about these … [Read more...] about Eyes on Animals presents to official NVWA veterinarians
transport
Eyes on Animals speaks at WPSA seminar in Wageningen on catching and loading of poultry
Eyes on Animals spoke at a seminar of the World’s Poultry Science Association in Wageningen, sharing observations and experiences from the field on the catching and loading of poultry. In practice, most birds are still caught by one leg, pulled from the floor or housing system, and pushed or thrown into transport containers or crates while hanging upside down. This is … [Read more...] about Eyes on Animals speaks at WPSA seminar in Wageningen on catching and loading of poultry
Slaughter piglets from The Netherlands to Croatia: overcrowding, thirst, mortality and lack of enforcement
Recently, Eyes on Animals and Animal Welfare Foundation (AWF) monitored two transports of Dutch piglets to a slaughterhouse in Croatia. These were “unwanted piglets” – young animals rejected for further fattening due to health problems or growth deformities, and therefore slaughtered prematurely. Many had umbilical hernias; others had bitten ears, abscesses, or growth … [Read more...] about Slaughter piglets from The Netherlands to Croatia: overcrowding, thirst, mortality and lack of enforcement
Catching and loading BLK turkeys with the TA800 catching machine
Last night, Eyes on Animals observed the loading of turkeys using the TA800 catching machine from CMC-Industries. We were invited by Bram Godrie of GTC Technics and turkey farmer Dirk van der Sterren. The turkeys were kept according to the Beter Leven1-star criteria, which mainly means they had slightly more space and enrichment materials. In total, 3,500 turkeys … [Read more...] about Catching and loading BLK turkeys with the TA800 catching machine
Eyes on Animals shares insights with veterinarian-inspectors in Kassel (DE) on chicken catching and transport
Today, Eyes on Animals gave a two-hour presentation to 40–50 veterinarians from the Kassel district in Germany. This region has a very high density of poultry farming. Precisely for that reason, it is crucial that veterinarians and inspectors are well trained in recognizing and improving poultry welfare during catching, loading, transport, and upon arrival at the … [Read more...] about Eyes on Animals shares insights with veterinarian-inspectors in Kassel (DE) on chicken catching and transport
Eyes on Animals presents on chicken welfare in Hannover during catching and loading
Today, Eyes on Animals presented at the annual ATF Conference "Current Problems in Animal Welfare" in Hannover. This conference, organized by the Stiftung Tierärztliche Hochschule Hannover, brings together veterinarians from across Germany to discuss pressing animal welfare issues. To an audience of veterinarians, we shared our observations and experiences regarding the … [Read more...] about Eyes on Animals presents on chicken welfare in Hannover during catching and loading
Upright catching at Demeter poultry farm De Dennenhoeve
This evening, a team from Eyes on Animals assisted with the catching and loading of hens at Demeter poultry farm De Dennenhoeve. This farm was one of the first to abandon the conventional method, in which hens are held upside down by a single leg. Seven years ago, they switched to the upright catching method developed by Eyes on Animals. As a token of appreciation, eight … [Read more...] about Upright catching at Demeter poultry farm De Dennenhoeve
Loading piglets at Van Rooi: reflecting together on how to reduce stress
Today we observed the loading of piglets at the Van Rooi assembly centre in Lieshout. The piglets being loaded were surplus animals, selected for slaughter in Croatia due to issues such as bitten ears or umbilical hernias. Our aim was to gain insight into how ‘fitness for transport’ is assessed, and to explore ways to reduce stress during loading. Herding and loading – … [Read more...] about Loading piglets at Van Rooi: reflecting together on how to reduce stress
Visit to transport, vaccination and catching company Broekman in Haler
While working in the field today, we spotted a truck belonging to Broekman B.V., a company specialised in catching, transporting and vaccinating young laying hens. As we happened to be near their head office in Haler, we decided to stop by spontaneously to introduce ourselves and, if possible, exchange ideas about the catching, loading and transport of laying … [Read more...] about Visit to transport, vaccination and catching company Broekman in Haler
Feeding intervals continue to be violated during import of unweaned Irish calves
Despite clear EU regulations designed to protect unweaned calves from starvation during long journeys, investigations by Eyes on Animals (EonA) and Ethical Farming Ireland (EFI) reveal that these rules continue to be ignored—resulting in Irish calves enduring extremely long journeys without being fed milk. On May 3, Eyes on Animals (EonA) followed a transport truck … [Read more...] about Feeding intervals continue to be violated during import of unweaned Irish calves
