Today we met with truck building company Berdex to discuss the design of livestock trucks. We exchanged knowledge and ideas and discussed the following concerns: Heatstress During inspections, EonA witnessed on numerous occasions that the humidity in cross-ventilated trucks (completely closed trucks with mechanical ventilation inside) is much too high, … [Read more...] about Meeting with truck manufacturer Berdex about design animal transport trucks
animal transport
Eyes on Animals and the Dutch Society for the Protection of Animals want law-abiding standards for transport during hot weather
In 2019, Eyes on Animals, together with the Dutch Society for the Protection of Animals, wrote 10 action points slaughterhouses could do to reduce heatstress for animals on board arriving trucks. Recently we prepared a new report about the current state of affairs. Conclusion: although the slaughter and transport industry made some improvements, the biggest cause of … [Read more...] about Eyes on Animals and the Dutch Society for the Protection of Animals want law-abiding standards for transport during hot weather
Visiting slaughterhouses to check on implementation of heat stress measures
Today, Eyes on Animals visited several slaughterhouses to see to what extent they have taken measures to prevent heat stress. VION's pig slaughterhouse in Apeldoorn built a canopy to allow trucks to wait in the shade. VION will extend this canopy to allow more space between the trucks and improve ventilation. Additional (small) fans have also been … [Read more...] about Visiting slaughterhouses to check on implementation of heat stress measures
Inspections of poultry trucks for heat stress
Today, Eyes on Animals visited a parking lot where poultry trucks are frequently parked waiting for Clazing slaughterhouse. Due to the warm weather (around 29°C), we documented the waiting times of the trucks. Long waiting times are undesirable because temperatures rise very quickly in a stationary truck. This puts the chickens at great risk for heat … [Read more...] about Inspections of poultry trucks for heat stress
Hunland, Europes’ largest animal transport and trading company, stops transport of unweaned calves
Hunland Group has publically announced it will go beyond the ambiguous EU rules and completely stop transporting unweaned calves under the age of 3 months. The reason for their decision is that calves cannot be given the proper care and feeding they need while cooped up on a truck. Calves of this age are dependent on milk for nutrition, and cannot yet … [Read more...] about Hunland, Europes’ largest animal transport and trading company, stops transport of unweaned calves
Transport inspections in connection with cold stress
Today an Eyes on Animals team observed several livestock transports that arrived at a poultry slaughterhouse and a Halal sheep and goat slaughterhouse in Breukelen. Despite freezing temperatures (-4C), the transport of live animals continued undiminished. Within approximately 1,5 hours 6 livestock trucks arrived. The poultry trucks had their winter covers down and the … [Read more...] about Transport inspections in connection with cold stress
Inspections of pig trucks during cold weather, Boxtel (NL)
Today a team from Eyes on Animals returned to Boxtel to observe trucks with pigs on board, heading to the nearby Vion slaughterhouse. Last time we checked trucks arriving on a cold day here, there was much variation. Many trucks had had their shutters wide open, others mainly closed to protect the animals. Today we fortunately saw less variation, with 7 trucks only having … [Read more...] about Inspections of pig trucks during cold weather, Boxtel (NL)
Virtual Meeting with Irish authorities from DAFM about calf exports
In reaction to our yearly investigative reports and letters of complaint regarding Irish exports of unweaned calves to mainland Europe, the Irish authorities asked to virtually meet with us finally. Together with representatives from Ethical Farming Ireland, CIWF UK, ISPCA and the Swedish Association for the Protection of Animals we spoke about the long distance journeys … [Read more...] about Virtual Meeting with Irish authorities from DAFM about calf exports
Meeting with Stena Ferries about the unweaned calves they accept on board from Rosslare (IRE) to the Cherbourg (FR)
Today Eyes on Animals and the Swedish Association for the Protection of Animals met virtually with representatives from Stena Line in Sweden and the UK. At the meeting we handed over a petition with 22,882 signatures to Stena Line, that appeals to the ferry company to stop transporting livestock/young calves onboard their ferries from Ireland to France. Eyes on … [Read more...] about Meeting with Stena Ferries about the unweaned calves they accept on board from Rosslare (IRE) to the Cherbourg (FR)
Consultation with a trailer manufacturer and a climate specialist on cross-ventilated livestock trucks
Today we met with a Dutch livestock trailer manufacturer and a climate specialist about the welfare of pigs in cross-ventilated livestock trucks. These are enclosed livestock trucks that are mechanically ventilated. The consultation was prompted by our transport inspections during the summers of 2019 and 2020. Eyes on Animals measured the … [Read more...] about Consultation with a trailer manufacturer and a climate specialist on cross-ventilated livestock trucks
