In a recent letter the Dutch minister of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality, Henk Staghouwer, has informed the parliament that the report of Eyes on Animals, ‘The welfare of male goat-kids’, has been used to make policy. He writes that several recommendations have already been put into practice: The I&R (Identification & Registration) requirements … [Read more...] about EonA report ‘Welfare goat-kids’ used for policy making
animal welfare improvements
More stunners arrive in Ghana
Today our package arrived in Ghana. We sent many stunners, cartridges and proper knives to West Africa Center for the Protection of Animal Welfare for them to continue to train butchers how to render animals unconscious before cutting their throat, and to put an end to animals being butchered while fully conscious with blunt knives. We know it is still slaughter, but if we … [Read more...] about More stunners arrive in Ghana
Unannounced visit to slaughterhouse Gosschalk in Epe (NL)
Following our advice, slaughterhouse Gosschalk has implemented several improvements to reduce the stress level among the pigs. To further improve, Gosschalk gave us permission to also conduct unannounced inspections at their location. Today was the first inspection. The inspection today was done based on camera-footage, both live and stored images … [Read more...] about Unannounced visit to slaughterhouse Gosschalk in Epe (NL)
Revisit of Pali slaughterhouse to see the adjustments they made
Today Eyes on Animals visited Pali slaughterhouse in Geldrop (NL). Since our first visit in 2018 Pali has put several of our recommendations into practice. They closed the sides of the raceway to prevent distractions, have improved the light in the single file raceway, hung up several banners to improve handling and improved the pen for suspect-pigs. They also changed the … [Read more...] about Revisit of Pali slaughterhouse to see the adjustments they made
Revisit of Agri4+ slaughterhouse to see the implemented improvements
Today we revisited Agri4+ slaughterhouse in Lichtenvoorde (NL). On our recommendation they have made adjustments to their stunning-pen. It was made smaller; in smaller groups, pigs experience less stress and the waiting times are shorter. The floor was made anti-slip to reduce chances of pigs slipping and injuring themselves. We are pleased this slaughterhouse has put our … [Read more...] about Revisit of Agri4+ slaughterhouse to see the implemented improvements
Meeting and visit of slaughterhouse in Ödemiş, Turkey
At this slaughterhouse 100km east of Izmir where we were this morning, they were at first letting the cattle out of the restraint box immediately after cutting their throats open. It was horrible as cattle remain alive and fully sensitive to pain for at least 40 seconds and often even for several minutes after being cut. A lot of blood has to first come out before they … [Read more...] about Meeting and visit of slaughterhouse in Ödemiş, Turkey
Pali Group stops with transport of very young male kids
Livestock company and meat producer Pali Group has informed us that they will no longer transport male goat-kids of only 7-10 days old to slaughterhouses. Their affiliated dairy-goat producers will now fatten their male kids for at least a couple of weeks on the farm. Once the male kids are transported they are stronger and a little less dependent on milk. In the … [Read more...] about Pali Group stops with transport of very young male kids
Follow-up visit to slaughterhouse in Gönen, Turkey
Disappointing news. The slaughterhouse in Gönen that we leased a stunner to, and taught the workers how to use last October, sadly no longer use it. This morning they returned the captive bolt stunner to us! All the workers were in favour of rendering the animals unconscious before cutting their throats, and felt better doing so, but their customers are worried that they … [Read more...] about Follow-up visit to slaughterhouse in Gönen, Turkey
Inspection of sheep slaughter at a slaughterhouse near Tekirdag, Turkey
Today we visited a slaughterhouse that leased one of our stunners 2 years ago to render the cattle unconscious before slaughter. The chief butcher is a strong supporter of the captive bolt stunner and uses it as often as he can to stun cattle first. He cannot use it on all cattle as in Turkey the owner of the animal decides, there is no national legislation making stunning … [Read more...] about Inspection of sheep slaughter at a slaughterhouse near Tekirdag, Turkey
Meeting with large Turkish animal-welfare NGO Haytap
We are back in Turkey to do follow-up checks on the slaughterhouses that we had leased a stunner to and taught the employees how to render animals unconscious first with it before cutting their throats. However, this week we are also meeting with NGOs and meat companies, so that they also put pressure on slaughterhouses in Turkey to clean up their act. This morning we met … [Read more...] about Meeting with large Turkish animal-welfare NGO Haytap
