This afternoon, Eyes on Animals discovered an animal-truck parked in the parking lot of a gas station near VION Groenlo abattoir with culled sows and a few boars on board. The truck was in the full sun (30°C), causing the animals on board to experience severe heat stress. Additionally, fights broke out between the animals, further exacerbating the stress. Eyes on Animals … [Read more...] about Severe heat stress in sows on board of stationary truck
animal welfare inspection
Heat stress inspection at Van Rooi pig slaughterhouse in Helmond (NL)
Today (31°C in the shade, 35°C in the sun), we visited Van Rooi pig slaughterhouse in Helmond. Although the afternoon shift was canceled due to the heat, which is a positive step, it remained very busy until at least 4:00 PM. There were as many as nine trucks, loaded with pigs, waiting under the canopy. Waiting times extended to an hour or more. Even though no pigs were … [Read more...] about Heat stress inspection at Van Rooi pig slaughterhouse in Helmond (NL)
Inspection on a hot day at Vion pig slaughterhouse in Boxtel
Today, Eyes on Animals was on the road again due to the extreme heat. In the afternoon, around 1:30 PM, we visited VION in Boxtel to check if, like the previous week, there were any stationary pig trucks waiting along the public road in the sun. Fortunately, this was not the case. There were also no trucks parked under the canopy. During our visit, one … [Read more...] about Inspection on a hot day at Vion pig slaughterhouse in Boxtel
EonA participates in BTSF week-long training on animal transport regulations for official vets, Warsaw, Poland
An EonA team just finished participating and giving 2 short talks at the Better Training for Safer Food week-long training course organized by the EU commission, in Warsaw. It is a group of about 30 official veterinarian inspectors from all over Europe, who are responsible for checking on animal transports departing for export or arriving at slaughterhouses, control posts … [Read more...] about EonA participates in BTSF week-long training on animal transport regulations for official vets, Warsaw, Poland
Visit of a second slaughterhouse near Balikisir that wants to stun but is not allowed
We visited another cattle and sheep slaughterhouse near Balikisir, one that we had never been to before. They already knew about the advantages of pre-stunning the animals before tethering their leg and cutting their throats but claim to not be able to perform stunning at their plant. In the past they even had a stunning system in place but "only used it when the … [Read more...] about Visit of a second slaughterhouse near Balikisir that wants to stun but is not allowed
Slaughterhouse in Balikisir returns to slaughtering all animals without stunning
A very depressing and frustrating day in Turkey today. A slaughterhouse in Balikisir that slaughters cattle and sheep was quite enthusiastic about using a stunner to render animals unconscious prior to shackling and cutting their throats when we visited 1.5 years ago. We instructed them back then on how to stun and leased them one of our captive bolt stunners for free. … [Read more...] about Slaughterhouse in Balikisir returns to slaughtering all animals without stunning
Visit to Van Rooi pig slaughterhouse in Helmond (NL) during heat
Today, we conducted an unannounced visit to Van Rooi pig slaughterhouse. We chose a later time in the afternoon (starting at 17:00) because the temperature was expected to rise as the day progressed. At Van Rooi, pigs are delivered until late in the evening (around 20:00). It was 32-33°C in the sun during our visit. At Van Rooi, drivers who need to wait before … [Read more...] about Visit to Van Rooi pig slaughterhouse in Helmond (NL) during heat
Visit to VION Pig Slaughterhouse in Boxtel During Heat
Today, we paid an unannounced visit to the VION pig slaughterhouse in Boxtel (NL). At VION in Boxtel, we have often observed chauffeurs waiting for many hours before pigs could be unloaded. We have also frequently seen trucks, fully loaded with pigs, standing outside the canopy in the sun. Because the situation did not improve sufficiently, we filed an enforcement request … [Read more...] about Visit to VION Pig Slaughterhouse in Boxtel During Heat
Visit to Remkes Poultry Slaughterhouse in Epe (NL) on a Hot Day
Today, we conducted an unannounced visit to Remkes in Epe (NL), where broiler breeders are slaughtered. This visit was prompted by the warm weather conditions (approximately 27°C). Waiting timesBroiler breeders, similar to laying hens, are often caught in the evening as they are calmer at that time. However, this also means that birds frequently arrive at the … [Read more...] about Visit to Remkes Poultry Slaughterhouse in Epe (NL) on a Hot Day
Consultation with LTO and ZLTO on the Welfare of Goat Kids
Today, Eyes on Animals held a discussion with two representatives from the Netherlands Agricultural and Horticultural Organization (LTO) and the Southern Netherlands Agricultural and Horticultural Organization (ZLTO) regarding the welfare status of goat kids. In 2020, Eyes on Animals published the report "Welfare of Male Goat Kids in Focus." In this report, we … [Read more...] about Consultation with LTO and ZLTO on the Welfare of Goat Kids
