We made an announced visit last Friday to Ameco slaughterhouse in the Netherlands. They wanted to show us some concrete changes they had put in place since our previous visit to decrease fear and pain during slaughter. The most significant change was a better stun box, built by DGS, where the cattle could be accurately and quickly stunned, thanks to quiet and gentle … [Read more...] about Inspection of Ameco cattle slaughterhouse, NL
animal welfare improvements
Visit to pig slaughterhouse Agri4+, NL
Today Eyes on Animals conducted a follow-up visit to Agri4+ slaughterhouse to observe the slaughter of piglets. We wanted to see what improvements they had put in place since our previous visit, and which of our suggestions they put into practice so far and how stress could be further reduced. Agri4+ had implemented several improvements since our previous visit, such as … [Read more...] about Visit to pig slaughterhouse Agri4+, NL
Three slaughterhouses implement animal welfare improvements
Following the advice of Eyes on Animals, three Dutch pig slaughterhouses have implemented animal welfare improvements. They are Pali in Geldrop, Vion in Groenlo and Vion in Apeldoorn. At Pali and Vion Groenlo several improvements were made so that when moving the pigs to the stunning area, they experience less stress. Changes include moving the pigs in smaller groups, … [Read more...] about Three slaughterhouses implement animal welfare improvements
Motions passed for legal requirements to reduce heat-stress during live transports
Recently two important motions were passed at the House of Representatives to restrict heatstress during live transports. The motions were filed by Esther Ouwehand and Loenie Vestering from the Political Party for the Animals. A majority of the House of Representatives voted for a full ban on the transporation of live animals at temperatures above … [Read more...] about Motions passed for legal requirements to reduce heat-stress during live transports
Presentation to members of the Poultry Catchers Association about upright catching
Today EonA gave a presentation at the members' meeting of the Dutch Association of Poultry Catching Service Companies (NVPSB) about the upright catching of chickens. The reason for the invitation was a lawsuit filed by Wakker Dier, in which the judge ruled that catching chickens by the legs is against the law. This means that the sector will have to switch to a method … [Read more...] about Presentation to members of the Poultry Catchers Association about upright catching
Meeting with truck manufacturer Berdex about design animal transport trucks
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
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
EonA puts more humane way of catching birds into practice
EonA introduced the upright method already back in 2016. We saw serious injuries caused such as fractured or crushed wings and legs, plus extremely loud screaming of the birds during catching. We also knew that poultry do not have a diaphragm thus when held upside down all their weight is on their lungs causing breathing problems. We also found several scientific articles … [Read more...] about EonA puts more humane way of catching birds into practice
EonA assists organic goat farm “De Bonte Weide” with experiment “kids stay with mom”
Together with the Dutch organic goat farm “De Bonte Weide”, a team from Eyes on Animals tested out today how new-born kids could stay with their mothers after being born, instead of being separated and raised without their mothers. To begin we first observed how mother and kids behaved towards each other just after birth and shortly thereafter. This was important to figure … [Read more...] about EonA assists organic goat farm “De Bonte Weide” with experiment “kids stay with mom”
Eyes on Animals asks industry to take measures against cold stress
Eyes on Animals has sent a letter to Dutch organizations Vee&Logistiek (representing animal traders and transporters), COV (representing the meat-industry) and individual slaughterhouses to take effective measures when animals are transported during cold weather. For example: Closing the side-shutters of the truck and adding a thick layer of bedding. The current … [Read more...] about Eyes on Animals asks industry to take measures against cold stress
