Today the Eyes on Animals and TSB|AWF team drove in the early morning to an inspection post along the A4 highway near Gliwice, in order to support the Katowice Road Transport Inspection (ITD) checking on livestock vehicle passing by. Together we inspected 2 pig trucks and 1 chicken truck. One of the pig trucks is correct and can continue without any problems. This driver … [Read more...] about Practical training of Polish road inspectors (ITD) in Katowice – Żernica
animal welfare inspection
Visit of Vitelco calf slaughterhouse (NL)
On the 13th of October we visited Vitelco Calf slaughterhouse in Den Bosch. Vitelco slaughters 350,000 rosé and white meat calves each year. The unloading went smoothly because, from the truck, the calves could immediately walk into the lairage. There were no sharp turns or dead corners that could cause confusion. To move the calves to the stunner, use was made of the … [Read more...] about Visit of Vitelco calf slaughterhouse (NL)
Inspection of horsemarket in Hedel, NL
From midnight until early morning on October 10th, an Eyes on Animals team attended the horse market in Hedel. We were accompanied by two journalists of Animals Today, who themselves had invited a security guard of BBA-A (Bouncers Against Animal Abuse). The reason for these precautions was that two years ago they, and us, were physicially and verbally harassed by … [Read more...] about Inspection of horsemarket in Hedel, NL
Tamale livestock market, Ghana
This afternoon we inspected a large cattle and sheep market in Ghana together with our colleagues from the Ghanaian welfare organization WACPAW. We observed serious welfare problems ; there were many animals too weak or injured to stand with no mercy shown to them, beating during loading, the ramp is not high enough to be level with the larger trucks so most cattle … [Read more...] about Tamale livestock market, Ghana
Inspection catching and loading at Wingens’ broiler-farm
Today, on invitation by Rob and Egbert Wingens, two brothers who own a broiler-farm in Schaijk (NL), we were given the opportunity to observe both the catching and loading of broilers at their facility. The broilers were loaded into Stork containers of 4 trays high. The broilers were destined to be slaughtered at the slaughterhouse ‘Plukon’. The broilers were caught 5 at a … [Read more...] about Inspection catching and loading at Wingens’ broiler-farm
Trailing of Dutch truck with sheep destined for ritual slaughter at Muslim festival in Belgium
On the 23nd of August, 2017, a team in the UK inspected four sheep trucks at the port of Calais (FR). All sheep were loaded in Carlisle, (UK) and arrived by the Joline Ro-Ro Barge, which is owned by the Dutch company, Onderwater Agneaux B.V.. We decided to trail the truck, owned by the Dutch company, Poorterman, to its final destination. The final destination was a small … [Read more...] about Trailing of Dutch truck with sheep destined for ritual slaughter at Muslim festival in Belgium
Visit to big goat milk farm in North-Holland
On 3rd August we paid an unannounced visit to the big goat milk farm “Klavergeit” in the Netherlands. The farm houses 1640 goats. The barn was well ventilated and there was plenty of daylight. The goats were kept on a thick layer of straw. Unfortunately, the goats do not have the opportunity to climb, although it is known goats love to climb – sadly, climbing apparatus are … [Read more...] about Visit to big goat milk farm in North-Holland
Visit to goat milk and kid fattening farm in North-Brabant
On July 13th we made an unannounced visit to the goat milk farm “Van den Heuvel” in North Brabant. The farmer and his wife were very friendly and gave us an extensive tour around the farm. In contrast to other goat milk farms – the kids born on this farm – are not transported to other farms at a young age but, are reared or fattened on the farm itself. This way kids do not … [Read more...] about Visit to goat milk and kid fattening farm in North-Brabant
Day 5 Inspection of EU cattle transports at the Turkish border
Today our teams were present at both sides of the Bulgarian-Turkish border. We were full of hope that there would be no transports in the blazing heat of this day, but sadly enough there were. Not only was this the hottest day, but also the busiest. On the Turkish side of the border we inspected 14 trucks carrying heifers, bulls meant to be fattened for meat and bulls … [Read more...] about Day 5 Inspection of EU cattle transports at the Turkish border
Day 4 Inspection of EU cattle trucks at the Turkish border
Today our teams have had a talk with the owners of the feeder bulls who have been in stables at the border here for three weeks. They have again asked us to urge the Bulgarian government to allow the animals to return to Bulgaria. The letter about this has been sent in the meantime. We have little hope that permission will be given. Another option is that the animals are … [Read more...] about Day 4 Inspection of EU cattle trucks at the Turkish border
