Today we paid an unannounced visit to the pig assembly centre Van Rooi in Lieshout (NL). We were immediately given a tour of the lairage, where sows were being housed at the time. The animals were calm and resting, with enough space to lie on their sides without disturbing one another. The sawdust bedding was clean and fresh, and the overall impression was positive. Van … [Read more...] about Visit to pig assembly centre Van Rooi in Lieshout (NL)
animal transport
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
As regional slaughterhouses disappear, transport distances increase
Eyes on Animals is observing a troubling trend: transport distances for culled cows and sows are increasing due to the disappearance of regional slaughterhouses. In regions such as Friesland, many local facilities have shut down, forcing animals from the northern Netherlands to be transported all the way to slaughterhouses in the east or south of the country and even deep … [Read more...] about As regional slaughterhouses disappear, transport distances increase
Debunking the myth: milk during transit does not cause diarrhea in calves
In the northern Netherlands, we teamed up with veterinarian and calf feeding expert Dr. Ronald Rongen to tackle a persistent myth in the cattle sector: that feeding milk to calves in transit causes diarrhea. Most Dutch calf traders and farmers think that giving milk to unweaned calves in transit causes diarrhea, and thus withhold milk for very long periods. … [Read more...] about Debunking the myth: milk during transit does not cause diarrhea in calves
Dutch transport company Van Os implicated in serious transport fraud involving Irish calves
Once again, serious violations have been uncovered in the transport of calves from Ireland. Last Sunday, May 4, a driver from the Dutch transport company Van Os, was arrested by the Catalan police (Mossos d'Esquadra) in the Spanish province of Girona. He was transporting dozens of unweaned calves from Ireland to a farm near Barcelona—a journey spanning several … [Read more...] about Dutch transport company Van Os implicated in serious transport fraud involving Irish calves
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
Visit to calf assembly centre De Skieding in Houtigehage (NL)
On the evening of 18 March, we paid an unannounced visit to assembly centre De Skieding in Houtigehage (NL). At the time, unweaned calves were being collected. The owner spoke with us in a friendly manner but preferred to take some time to consider allowing us access to his assembly centre. We fully understand this, as the company is not yet familiar with our … [Read more...] about Visit to calf assembly centre De Skieding in Houtigehage (NL)
Visit to calf assembly centre De Vries in Scharnegoutum (NL)
On the evening of 18 March, we paid an unannounced visit to the assembly centre De Vries in Scharnegoutum (NL). We observed that calves were being collected for further fattening. The owner immediately made time for us and gave a short tour. The calves were housed in groups, with plenty of clean straw. Overall, the facility gave a well-maintained impression. Most calves … [Read more...] about Visit to calf assembly centre De Vries in Scharnegoutum (NL)
No more goat-kids slaughtered at just 7 days old
As of January 1, 2025, goat kids can no longer be slaughtered before they are at least two weeks old. Many of them are now fattened for 3 to 5 weeks and receive slightly better care. This change was largely driven by the efforts of Eyes on Animals, which brought attention to the transport of very young goat kids in the media and political arena. As a result, … [Read more...] about No more goat-kids slaughtered at just 7 days old
EonA talks at European Parliament in Brussels
Today we gave a talk at the European Parliament. We were invited by MEPs Anja Hazekamp and Sebastien Everding. We presented the new film about how sheep and cattle are transported on very difficult and long journeys from all over Europe by truck and vessel to slaughterhouses in third countries far away, such as Turkey, Jordan, Egypt, Libya, Lebanon and Morocco. This … [Read more...] about EonA talks at European Parliament in Brussels
