An enforcement request by Eyes on Animals resulted in a fine for VION pig slaughterhouse in Boxtel (NL). In the summer of 2022 Eyes on Animals again witnessed pigs suffering from extreme heat on board the trucks that, due to long waiting times, were parked up in the vicinity of VION pig slaughterhouse. Eyes on Animals filmed the pigs and documented the waiting times.
Long waiting times are an ongoing problem at VION in Boxtel. Year after year we urged VION to take measures. Following our advice VION built a canopy and installed fans but they failed to solve the root of the problem; that too many pigs are being delivered, despite the limited space in both their unloading and waiting areas, thus resulting in long waiting times. Because of these issues Eyes on Animals made the decision to submit an enforcement request to the Dutch authorities (NVWA).
We are pleased to announce that the NVWA issued a fine after receiving the evidence we provided with our enforcement request. The waiting times on board of the trucks were found to be 3-4 hours. NVWA concluded that VION failed to take action to limit the waiting times during the summer heat, and therefore took unnecessary and avoidable animal-welfare risks.
We hope VION has taken adequate action ready for this summer. Eyes on Animals will continue to conduct inspections to verify this.
