Last summer, Eyes on Animals checked the arrival of poultry trucks to a large chicken slaughterhouse in the province of Utrecht. We saw poultry trucks parked in the sun for hours which caused chicken to literally die of the heat. The slaughterhouse director refused to talk to us. We therefore immediately called the Dutch authorities to file a complaint. Based on our … [Read more...] about Dutch poultry transporter and organizer fined
animal welfare inspection
Training of Road Police and Veterinarians in Gdansk (Poland) – Practical part
Early this morning we drove 60 km south-west of Gdansk to the village of Stezyca. The representatives of ITD, veterinary inspection and the police that participated in our theoretical course yesterday are already there. As soon as we get out of the car, our team member spots the first animal truck, which is immediately stopped for inspection. All in all, … [Read more...] about Training of Road Police and Veterinarians in Gdansk (Poland) – Practical part
Training of road police (ITD) in Olsztyn, Poland – Theory
Olsztyn has a group of 30 ITD (Road Inspection) inspectors and two policemen attending our training course on the EC 1/2005 directive covering the protection of animals during transport. Today we cover the theory and the importance of unannounced checks on the road of livestock trucks passing by their region. The attendants are enthusiastic for tomorrow's practical … [Read more...] about Training of road police (ITD) in Olsztyn, Poland – Theory
Chicken transport crates with the cruel flap-door now banned
For a long time crates with small flap doors were used to transport hens to slaughter. During our inspections of chickens being caught and loaded at the farm for transport to slaughter, we observed that these flap doors caused a lot of horrible injuries. Wings, heads and feet were often crushed. Recently the Dutch authorities made the decision to forbid these crates … [Read more...] about Chicken transport crates with the cruel flap-door now banned
Police training in Katowice, Poland – theoretical part
In Katowice, a 60-person-strong and diversified group has gathered for our theoretical training on the EU legislation protecting animals during transport. Besides WITD inspectors (official road officers in Poland), there are representatives of Police, Veterinary Inspection and Customs Officers. The audience listens carefully. During breaks we receive many requests to give … [Read more...] about Police training in Katowice, Poland – theoretical part
Inspection of EU cattle trucks at Turkish border
One of our teams is on the Turkish side of the EU/TR border and inspected 15 livestock trucks today transporting live bovines from EU member states into Turkey. The majority of the animals appear to be in a suitable condition. However on one of the trucks we discover two new-born calves. They were born on the truck during the journey from German. This should never have … [Read more...] about Inspection of EU cattle trucks at Turkish border
Inspection of Dutch pigs trucks at Weidemark slaughterhouse during a heatwave
Today a team from Eyes on Animals, together with Vroege Vogels Dutch radio, made an unannounced visit to Weidemark slaughterhouse in Soegel, Germany. We wanted to check if Dutch pig-transport companies were respecting their own new "Heat Protocol" guidelines which require 10%- 20% lower pig density levels when it is very hot outside (27 degrees for a period of 4 days or … [Read more...] about Inspection of Dutch pigs trucks at Weidemark slaughterhouse during a heatwave
Visit of Dutch poultry farm that burned down
Today we visited the poultry farm in Waddinxveen where yesterday morning a big fire broke out and 60,000 laying hens were killed. One of our inspectors is a specialist on barn-fires and in 2010 had conducted her thesis on the cause of barn fires and the suffering caused to animals. This research led to stricter fire-code regulations in the Netherlands for future new barns … [Read more...] about Visit of Dutch poultry farm that burned down
Inspection of pig truck in Poland
Today our team checked on a pig truck parked at a gas station along a highway in Poland. The loading density and headspace were acceptable and within the EU legal requirements. However, on the first floor there was not a partition set in place. During our quick check we heard a strange whining sound coming from the trailer and took a good look inside to identify which pig … [Read more...] about Inspection of pig truck in Poland
Inspection horse Barneveld, NL
Two EonA inspectors went to the horse market in Barneveld, which takes place weekly on Monday mornings. This horse market is only intended for the trade in horses and has no activities such as a fair or amusement park attached. The duration is limited: from 07:00-12:00hrs. This morning about 75 horses and ponies were counted. Between 06:00 and 07:00hrs the trailers … [Read more...] about Inspection horse Barneveld, NL
