We helped farmer Dr. Kees Scheepens with his request to host a Farm Animal Memorial Day at his organic free-range pig and cattle farm. Kees gave a talk about the trauma many farmers and vets developed from having to "kill" so many healthy animals during virus outbreaks, just for economic reasons. Thousands of crocheted white roses were planted in a spiral to represent the … [Read more...] about Farm Animal Memorial Day
animal welfare
The Dutch authorities continue to tolerate livestock trucks without access doors to the animals
More and more often we see Dutch-platted and Dutch-approved animal trucks on the road without any access doors on the sides. Access to the animals on these trucks is close to impossible- the only way in is via the back which in reality means no access. No truck driver is going to crawl on his knees through a floor of 80 pigs or suckling calves or sheep, or walk through a … [Read more...] about The Dutch authorities continue to tolerate livestock trucks without access doors to the animals
Tamale slaughterhouse – serious animal suffering
We continue to see serious mistreatment and suffering of animals at Tamale slaughterhouse in Ghana, with no real hope in sight. Despite some of the butchers participating in the EonA and WACPAW training on humane handling in 2017, we continued this year to observe animals being dragged and beaten into this slaughterhouse. They are left for hours if not days without water. … [Read more...] about Tamale slaughterhouse – serious animal suffering
Visit to calf farm of Tijs de Koning
Today we brought an unannounced visit to the calf farm of Tijs de Koning. Tijs welcomed us to take a look at his farm, were he keeps 1,300 rosé calves. The calves were kept in a conventional manner – in groups on slatted floors. Because the calves are fattened for rosé meat there is no restriction of iron intake. There were a few calves that were weak or ill. They were … [Read more...] about Visit to calf farm of Tijs de Koning
Less noise in restraining box Vitelco calf slaughterhouse
Slaughterhouse Vitelco has adjusted their restraining box from pneumatics towards hydraulic. This resulted in a significant noise reduction. This is an important step for animal welfare because noise, especially sudden and hissing ones, can cause a lot of stress in cattle. It makes them balk and too scared to enter the box. Loud sporadic noise can also make animals inside … [Read more...] about Less noise in restraining box Vitelco calf slaughterhouse
Improvements at cattle slaughterhouse Flanders (BE)
Eyes on Animals visited the Flanders cattle slaughterhouse of Flanders Meat Group in Zele, Belgium, at the invitation of the veterinarian. We encountered some problems that could be improved. The veterinarian himself also had some ideas and so we were able to combine our findings. After our visit he energetically proceeded to put the improvements into place. Some … [Read more...] about Improvements at cattle slaughterhouse Flanders (BE)
Knowledge on how to keep calves with their mothers bundled in scientific brochure
WUR and Louis Bolk, two leading scientific research centers in the Netherlands, have worked on a report about the success factors, advantages and challenges to overcome of keeping calves together with their mothers on dairy farms instead of separating them after birth. This report was made due to a broadcast on Radar, a popular Dutch TV show, where Eyes on Animals was … [Read more...] about Knowledge on how to keep calves with their mothers bundled in scientific brochure
World Halal Summit, Turkey
Berker and Asalet from Eyes on Animals and TSB/AWF are at the 3-day World Halal Summit in Turkey to attend the talks on animal slaughter for Halal meat and distribute information about improvements that can be done to reduce suffering and scientific information about how stunning works. Via a respectful dialogue and educational material translated into Turkish we hope to, … [Read more...] about World Halal Summit, Turkey
Visit Hy-Care pig production unit MS Schippers Bladel
Today we have visited a Hy-Care pig production unit in Bladel. Hy-Care stands for hygiene and care, which are the two focal points for the ultramodern pig farm. On the farm, which is still in a prototype phase, pigs live in plastic containers. The containers are transported to the farmer on a sort of conveyor belt. In this way, issues such as castration, tail docking, … [Read more...] about Visit Hy-Care pig production unit MS Schippers Bladel
EonA asked to be a part of EU-project to improve animal-welfare during transport
Eyes on Animals was asked to be a stakeholder in a 3-year EU-project to identify best practices on how to better protect animals from suffering during transport. Today we were in Brussels to give our first input. Our knowledge and evidence from the field was important to show what really goes on in practice, both the bad practices and the improvements some companies have … [Read more...] about EonA asked to be a part of EU-project to improve animal-welfare during transport
