Today is a busy day. Assisting the ITD, Eyes on Animals and TSB|AWF are conducting inspections of livestock trucks to check that the animal-welfare legislation is respected, and if not, that it be enforced. The first livestock truck stopped is from a Polish company and is carrying poultry. Poultry transports are often very problematic due to the sheer numbers and density, … [Read more...] about Practical training of official Road Transport Inspectors (ITD) in Siedlce, Poland – Day 2
animal welfare trainings
Practical training of offical Road Transport Inspectors (ITD) in Siedlce, Poland – Day 1
Today the TSB|AWF and Eyes on Animals team joined the Road Transport Inspection (ITD) east of Warsaw to assist in inspecting animal transports. The first animal lorry stopped for inspection is empty, however the design of this vehicle raises our concern- the loading ramp at the back is much too steep and the lateral protectors not high enough to prevent an animal from … [Read more...] about Practical training of offical Road Transport Inspectors (ITD) in Siedlce, Poland – Day 1
Training given to official Hungarian animal-transport inspectors, Budapest, Hungary
Today instructors from Eyes on Animals and TSB|AWF gave a successful presentation about practical issues of live animal transportation. We were invited by Dr Laszlo Pallos, the Hungarian National Animal Welfare Officer and Contact Point to the EU in farm animal welfare-related issues, after the EU inspectors found some deficiencies in the practical application of the … [Read more...] about Training given to official Hungarian animal-transport inspectors, Budapest, Hungary
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
Animal-welfare workshop for pig butchers at UDS campus slaughterhouse, Tamale, Ghana
Today we gave a training in humane handling to pig butchers in the region of Tamale. It was held at the UDS campus abattoir. Last year we had given a training here too, to agricultural students and the slaughter-men of this abattoir. Since we donated a captive bolt pistol and cartridges to them last year, all animals are being stunned before slaughter at UDS, instead of … [Read more...] about Animal-welfare workshop for pig butchers at UDS campus slaughterhouse, Tamale, Ghana
Kumasi cattle and pig slaughterhouses, Ghana
Today we arrived at 5am at Kumasi slaughterhouse and first checked on the section where pigs are slaughtered. Pigs were grabbed from the lairage area and thrown, literally, over the gates. They fell hard on to the ground. They are then chased towards the kill area, which is full of old broken equipment (leftover from when a Canadian government organization had helped them … [Read more...] about Kumasi cattle and pig slaughterhouses, Ghana
Practical training at Cape Coast commercial slaughterhouse, Ghana
Last year some of the employees from Cape Coast commercial slaughterhouse participated in the Eyes on Animals and WACPAW theory training on how to reduce suffering during slaughter. This year EonA and WACPAW returned to their slaughterhouse to see if they were willing to make improvements. We were positively surprised - they are now completely convinced that stunning … [Read more...] about Practical training at Cape Coast commercial slaughterhouse, Ghana
Training on how to reduce suffering during slaughter in Cape Coast, Ghana
In Ghana, like most African countries, animals are not stunned before having their throats cut. Captive bolts or other stunning equipment is not available there or known. Today we (Eyes on Animals and WACPAW) gave a training course to 20 slaughtermen and agricultural students about the importance of rendering animals unconscious before slaughter in order to reduce some of … [Read more...] about Training on how to reduce suffering during slaughter in Cape Coast, Ghana
Jolmers shows us their welfare course
Today we visited Jolmers Opleidingen. Jolmers is one of two institutes in the Netherlands that provides the new and compulsory course for chicken catchers. Eyes on Animals has been providing welfare courses to chicken catcher teams since 2015. We attended Jolmers' course and then exchanged ideas, experiences and knowledge with each other. Animal welfare is increasingly … [Read more...] about Jolmers shows us their welfare course
