From March 14-16, four teams from Eyes on Animal and our French sister organization L214 investigated the welfare of calves transported from Ireland to, for example, Dutch fattening farms via the French port town Cherbourg. We examined the condition and treatment of the calves during transport, at the control post and upon arrival at the fattening … [Read more...] about Abuse of Irish calves during transport to the Netherlands extensively reported in the media
calves
Investigation into the welfare of young Irish calves exported to EU countries
On the 14-16th March 2019, four teams from EonA and L214 investigated the well-being of young Irish calves being transported over sea from Rosslare (IE) to Cherbourg (FR) on to their final destinations by road. We checked the welfare conditions at the control posts, during transport and upon arrival at the farm. Two trucks (Shortall and McCreery) were trailed to their … [Read more...] about Investigation into the welfare of young Irish calves exported to EU countries
A visit to the Leeuwarden calf market
Eyes on Animals made an unannounced visit to the calf market in Leeuwarden. Here, calves of 2-3 weeks old are collected for onward travel to fattening farms. The accommodation was sufficient - the calves had a thick bed of straw and enough space. Many calves skipped with joy because they are not used to that much space (they come from individual boxes). The … [Read more...] about A visit to the Leeuwarden calf market
Succesful meeting between Marqt and ethical dairy farmer
Eyes on Animals organized a meeting between the person in charge of the dairy selection at Marqt supermarket chain and a very caring dairy farmer that we know that keeps the calves with their mothers in the herd for at least 2 months and uses gradual weaning. Today the meeting took place. We met at Marqt headquarters where the Marqt Dairy Chief tasted the cheeses this … [Read more...] about Succesful meeting between Marqt and ethical dairy farmer
P&O Ferries stops accepting livestock trucks carrying young calves
Eyes on Animals played a leading role in major ferry company, P&O, ending the export of young calves from Scotland for onward transportation to Spain. Eyes on Animals uncovered numerous journey logs under the Freedom of Information Act stating that the P&O ferry company was facilitating the trade in young calves from Cairnryan Port in Scotland, via Ireland for … [Read more...] about P&O Ferries stops accepting livestock trucks carrying young calves
EonA in BBC documentary about dairy farms
BBC Scotland broadcasts a television documentary about the dark fate of calves born on dairy farms and a more promising solution to this dairy industry problem. Eyes on Animals was part of this documentary and helped uncover the long distance journey logs of the Scottish calves. https://youtu.be/iJnvR03UZ5A … [Read more...] about EonA in BBC documentary about dairy farms
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
Inspection calf transports from Ireland to The Netherlands
On the 13th of March two teams from Eyes on Animals inspected calf trucks leaving Rosslare (IE) Port and heading to Cherbourg Port (FR) via the Stena Roll-on Roll-off ferry service. The trucks were transported by the Stena Carrier ferry that was especially deployed for transporting calves in February and March. There were at least 17 calf trucks onboard the ferry that day. … [Read more...] about Inspection calf transports from Ireland to The Netherlands
German study opts for maximum transport time calves of 8 hours
Recently a critical article / literature study was published in the leading German Magazine “Amtstierärtztlicher Dienst und Lebensmittelcontrolle” about the long-distance transport of unweaned calves. The conclusion was that the long-distance transport, along with starvation (caused by insufficient drinking- and food facilities inside the trucks) are a serious stressor … [Read more...] about German study opts for maximum transport time calves of 8 hours
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
