Once again, this year’s Easter cattle market in Schagen (NL) raised serious concerns about animal-welfare. Many animals exhibited clear signs of cold stress and fear. Several cattle slipped and fell while being sprayed with water—an experience that is both painful and terrifying for prey animals like cattle, who instinctively fear being on the ground, where they feel most … [Read more...] about Welfare concerns at yearly cattle market in Schagen (NL)
cattle market
Visit to Leeuwarden livestock market: improvements visible, some concerns remain
On 19 March, we paid an unannounced visit to the cattle market in Leeuwarden. The market management immediately made time to show us around. The market appeared well organised: all cattle were housed in groups (except for the bulls), there was plenty of clean straw, the air was fresh, and water was available in every pen. Compared to a few years ago, the condition of … [Read more...] about Visit to Leeuwarden livestock market: improvements visible, some concerns remain
Visit to Leeuwarden cull-cow market, NL
Eyes on Animals conducted an unannounced visit to Leeuwarden cull-cow and bull market yesterday, in the Netherlands. We have been working at this market for years, ever since we saw downers being dragged onto trucks there 15 years ago and animals tethered tightly onto railings, unable to lie down. It is much better now and recently they moved to a new location, where they … [Read more...] about Visit to Leeuwarden cull-cow market, NL
Meeting on animal welfare at new livestock market Leeuwarden
Today Eyes on Animals had an online meeting with the board of the livestock market in Leeuwarden (The Netherlands). The livestock market, which used to be housed in the WTC complex, will move to business park De Hemrik in 2021. To make sure that animal welfare will be considered as much as possible during the construction of the new market, Eyes on Animals gave the board … [Read more...] about Meeting on animal welfare at new livestock market Leeuwarden
The pressure is off at the Easter cattle market in Schagen!
At the annual Easter cattle market in Schagen last year, the double-muscled cattle and calves were cleaned using a high-pressure washer. With the outside temperatures around freezing adult cattle, as well as young calves, were subjected to this unacceptable method of cleaning. Their suffering was painfully obvious: shivering, signs of stress and futile attempts to get away … [Read more...] about The pressure is off at the Easter cattle market in Schagen!
Inspection of Sawyerville livestock market, Quebec (CA)
Today Eyes on Animals joined Canadian Coalition for Farm Animals to check on the condition and treatment of cattle at the livestock market in Sawyerville, Quebec. We were pleased to not observe any bovine in very poor condition, all appeared fit and mobile. Nevertheless, the handling of the animals was at times unnecessarily aggressive, with most employees seen hitting … [Read more...] about Inspection of Sawyerville livestock market, Quebec (CA)
Sainte Hyacinthe market, Quebec, Canada
Today we returned to Sainte Hyacinthe market to observe their sale of culled-dairy cows and to check if this market, that previously had a very bad reputation, really was indeed much better than in 2004 (see old photo). Culled-cows can often be in very poor shape and are fragile to transport, as they have spent their short lives repeatedly pregnant and producing … [Read more...] about Sainte Hyacinthe market, Quebec, Canada
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
New ramp at Tamale livestock market in Ghana
Positive steps forward in Ghana! Last year Eyes on Animals team joined WACPAW to inspect the Tamale cattle market in Ghana. Because there was no proper loading ramp, cattle were dragged, pushed and hoisted up onto the lorries. During the process the handlers would end up breaking the tails of the cattle and terrifying them. Thanks to financial help from Dier & Recht, … [Read more...] about New ramp at Tamale livestock market in Ghana
Improved drinking supply for calves at market in Leeuwarden, NL
The Leeuwarden calf market has bought a mobile water tank in order to facilitate giving water (with electrolytes) to each calf on the market before she or he is loaded for transport. The managers of the market organized this after our previous visit where we expressed our concern that not all calves were given something to drink before being loaded. Watering the calves was … [Read more...] about Improved drinking supply for calves at market in Leeuwarden, NL
