Today we visited the new cattle slaughterhouse in Leeuwarden from the company Vion. The plant had received consultation before building it on animal-behaviour and the latest design tips and equipment available to lairage, herd, restrain and slaughter cattle. After all the horrors we have seen at cattle plants in Ghana and Turkey and some in Europe, we were relieved to … [Read more...] about Vion cattle slaughterhouse, Leeuwarden, NL
animal welfare improvements
Meeting about EonA Dutch catching with poultry farm Boerveenshof and poultry service Smeding
Today we had a meeting with biodynamic poultry farm Boerveenshof and poultry service Smeding from Dronrijp (NL). Rolf and Danielle from Boerveenshof would like to catch their hens (once due for slaughter) using the EonA Dutch method. This ensures the chickens are kept upright instead of grabbed and hung by their legs. The goal is to cause less stress and pain to the … [Read more...] about Meeting about EonA Dutch catching with poultry farm Boerveenshof and poultry service Smeding
11,000 Kipster chickens caught in the EonA Dutch way
After our work with Rondeel, Kipster has also decided to switch to the EonA Dutch catching method. With the EonA Dutch catching method, chickens are caught two at a time, upright around the breast and wings. With this method, the chickens experience less stress and pain compared to the commercial catching method where chickens are grabbed roughly by their legs, held … [Read more...] about 11,000 Kipster chickens caught in the EonA Dutch way
Visit of Pali pig slaughterhouse, Geldrop (NL)
Today we inspected Pali pig slaughterhouse. We were here during the heat wave last summer to see if there was a long line-up or not. We were pleased to see that pigs did not have to wait long before being unloaded, mostly because Pali runs their own logistics and trucks, and thus can coordinate arrival times easily. Today we were asked to come back to check on the entire … [Read more...] about Visit of Pali pig slaughterhouse, Geldrop (NL)
Visit to poultry slaughterhouse GPS in Nunspeet
Today Eyes on Animals visited poultry slaughterhouse GPS in Nunspeet. Various animal welfare measures had been implemented. There was blue light in the lairage. It is known that this has a calming effect on the chickens. The lairage can be cooled by means of fans with a misting system. Outside the abattoir there is a woody area where trucks can be in the shade … [Read more...] about Visit to poultry slaughterhouse GPS in Nunspeet
Talk with Demeter about chicken-catching methods
Today we had a meeting with Demeter Netherlands about the welfare of laying hens during catching, loading and slaughtering. At the moment, laying hens on Demeter farms in the Netherlands are still being caught in the same way as non-Demeter hens, namely by their legs and held upside down, with a catcher holding 3-5 hens in one hand. We have asked Demeter to switch, just … [Read more...] about Talk with Demeter about chicken-catching methods
Animal welfare improvements at Tomassen duck slaughterhouse
After Eyes on Animals visited Tomassen duck slaughterhouse, they have made some in-house changes to reduce suffering. Tomassen uses an electric waterbath to stun the ducks before slaughter. Before stunning ducks are shackled alive manually. On our recommendation Tomassen closed a gap underneath the shackle-line where the ducks sometimes got stuck with their beaks. The … [Read more...] about Animal welfare improvements at Tomassen duck slaughterhouse
Four slaughterhouses in Ghana now use captive bolt stunners
Previously, animals at Kumasi pig slaughterhouse, Kumais cattle slaughterhouse, Cape Coast commercial and Cape Coast campus abattoirs in Ghana used to be slaughtered by having their necks slit while fully conscious. Together with WACPAW, we have started an education program in Ghana on animal-welfare. We explain the important of rendering animals unconscious prior to … [Read more...] about Four slaughterhouses in Ghana now use captive bolt stunners
Tamale slaughterhouse, Ghana
Very disappointing news on our last day in Ghana : after one week of achieving significant improvements, today we hit a brick wall. The Board Members overseeing Tamale cattle slaughterhouse had confirmed to us yesterday that they understood the science and welfare advantages of pre-stunning animals before cutting their throats and wanted to modernize. They accepted our … [Read more...] about Tamale slaughterhouse, Ghana
New ramp at Tamale livestock market in Ghana
Positive steps forward in Ghana! Last year Eyes on Animals team joined WACPAW to inspect the Tamale cattle market in Ghana. Because there was no proper loading ramp, cattle were dragged, pushed and hoisted up onto the lorries. During the process the handlers would end up breaking the tails of the cattle and terrifying them. Thanks to financial help from Dier & Recht, … [Read more...] about New ramp at Tamale livestock market in Ghana
