Today we paid a visit to duck slaughterhouse Tomassen Duck-To in Ermelo (NL). Tomassen had made a few changes which they wanted to show us. On the lairage ceiling and along the walls, misting fans had been installed. Tomassen told us this makes the indoor waiting area considerably cooler during the summer months. The fans were installed after the NVWA (the Dutch food … [Read more...] about A look at the changes that were made at duck slaughterhouse Tomassen Duck-To
animal welfare improvements
Visit to Papen-Olbach goat farm, where they are experimenting with different floor levels in their barn for goats to climb and rest
Today we visited the dairy goat farm Papen-Olbach in Vragender (NL). Traditionally, goats are kept in straw barns with just one floor level. But goats are climbers, and like to rest in a safe high place. They also prefer hard surfaces. With this in mind, Mattijn Papen-Olbach started looking at a new way to house his goats. What … [Read more...] about Visit to Papen-Olbach goat farm, where they are experimenting with different floor levels in their barn for goats to climb and rest
EonA shares ideas and advice with the International team from Meyn
Today Eyes on Animals gave a presentation to an International Team from Meyn. Meyn develops transportation modules and slaughter lines for poultry and is a market leader in this field. To make animal welfare an important consideration in the development of their future products, Meyn asked us to share our experiences and our ideas. Among other things we gave … [Read more...] about EonA shares ideas and advice with the International team from Meyn
Milk from farmers who keep their calves with their mothers now available in Dutch stores !
The calves are not directly taken away from their mother when they are born, which happens almost always, but they can stay with their mother for a longer period of time (usually a few months). Because of this, the calves are also not transported when they are very little (2-3 weeks), which is a great improvement for them. A world in which everyone eats plant-based, … [Read more...] about Milk from farmers who keep their calves with their mothers now available in Dutch stores !
Upright chicken catching project on German and French TV
ZDF and Arte recently televised EonA’s project to reduce stress, pain and injuries by catching hens upright instead of upside down by one leg. It was aired on both German and French TV. The camera team joined us at Kipster poultry farm on the evening of the catch, where the hens had to be loaded for transport. We gave a short presentation to the catching team and … [Read more...] about Upright chicken catching project on German and French TV
Slaughter of very young goat-kids to end in 2025
Partly because of our efforts the sector has drawn up a plan to put a stop to the transportation and slaughter of extremely young goat-kids. From 2025 dairy goat farmers will have to fatten all (100%) of their goat-kids up until a minimum of 2 weeks of age. In 2023 this needs to be at least 25% and in 2024 a minimum of 50%. Two weeks is indeed still too young and does not … [Read more...] about Slaughter of very young goat-kids to end in 2025
EFSA recommends upright catching for birds
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has advised to carry and load birds upright, instead of inverted by their legs. This is one of the recommendations EFSA recently published in their latest report to the European Commission. They write “During loading, inversion and carrying birds by the legs increases the severity of handling stress and the risk of injuries … [Read more...] about EFSA recommends upright catching for birds
Online meeting with Temple Grandin at Gosschalk slaughterhouse in Epe (NL)
Today we had an online meeting with a team from Gosschalk, the developers of the ‘Argus VCA camera-system’ and Dr. Temple Grandin. We wanted Temple Grandin’s recommendations on the handling and design in Gosschalk, where both cattle and pigs are slaughtered, to see if stress and fear could be further reduced. Temple Grandin is a well-known ethologist and expert on how to … [Read more...] about Online meeting with Temple Grandin at Gosschalk slaughterhouse in Epe (NL)
Visit of poultry Plukon slaughterhouse in Goor (NL)
Today we visited Plukon poultry slaughterhouse in Goor, where 175,000 broilers are slaughtered per day. The broilers stay in their transport containers from the moment of arrival until their death; they do not have to be taken out of the containers manually or mechanically (tilting) when still alive. In many slaughterhouses this still happens, causing a lot of fear and … [Read more...] about Visit of poultry Plukon slaughterhouse in Goor (NL)
Meeting with Ministry, VIN and Brandt & Levie about pig castration
Today Eyes on Animals met with representatives from the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, sausage company Brandt & Levie, Varkens in Nood (Pigs in Peril) and organic pig farmer Kees Scheepens to discuss how we can help the organic pig sector find a path towards a future where castration is phased out. Kees Scheepens and one other Dutch organic pig farmer, Gideon … [Read more...] about Meeting with Ministry, VIN and Brandt & Levie about pig castration
