As of January 1, 2025, goat kids can no longer be slaughtered before they are at least two weeks old. Many of them are now fattened for 3 to 5 weeks and receive slightly better care. This change was largely driven by the efforts of Eyes on Animals, which brought attention to the transport of very young goat kids in the media and political arena. As a result, … [Read more...] about No more goat-kids slaughtered at just 7 days old
goat kids
Several animal welfare improvements at slaughterhouse for goat-kids
In March of this year we paid a visit to a slaughterhouse where among other animals goat-kids of approx. 7-12days old are slaughtered. Read a report about this visit here >> We find it distressing and unacceptable that some milk goat farmers send their “surplus” goat-kids to a slaughterhouse this young. Although the handling of the goat kids was calm (they … [Read more...] about Several animal welfare improvements at slaughterhouse for goat-kids
EonA report ‘Welfare goat-kids’ used for policy making
In a recent letter the Dutch minister of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality, Henk Staghouwer, has informed the parliament that the report of Eyes on Animals, ‘The welfare of male goat-kids’, has been used to make policy. He writes that several recommendations have already been put into practice: The I&R (Identification & Registration) requirements … [Read more...] about EonA report ‘Welfare goat-kids’ used for policy making
Pali Group stops with transport of very young male kids
Livestock company and meat producer Pali Group has informed us that they will no longer transport male goat-kids of only 7-10 days old to slaughterhouses. Their affiliated dairy-goat producers will now fatten their male kids for at least a couple of weeks on the farm. Once the male kids are transported they are stronger and a little less dependent on milk. In the … [Read more...] about Pali Group stops with transport of very young male kids
Visit to Ridammerhoeve goat farm where kids are kept with mothers
Today Eyes on Animals dropped by Ridammerhoeve Demeter goat farm in Amsterdam Bos. Here a lot of attention and respect is given to the behavioural needs and well-being of the adult dairy goats as well as the goat kids. What rooting and wallowing are to pigs, is climbing to goats, and here at the Riddammerhoeve farm the goats have plenty of high climbing platforms, both … [Read more...] about Visit to Ridammerhoeve goat farm where kids are kept with mothers
Motion passed to further reduce death rate among male goat kids from the goat dairy industry
Following the report published by Eyes on Animals and the TV show Radar about this, the Party for the Animals has filed a motion to further reduce the death rate among male kids and to improve their welfare. Today a majority in the House of Representatives passed the motion. Eyes on Animals is extremely happy that the motion passed. We … [Read more...] about Motion passed to further reduce death rate among male goat kids from the goat dairy industry
EonA assists organic goat farm “De Bonte Weide” with experiment “kids stay with mom”
Together with the Dutch organic goat farm “De Bonte Weide”, a team from Eyes on Animals tested out today how new-born kids could stay with their mothers after being born, instead of being separated and raised without their mothers. To begin we first observed how mother and kids behaved towards each other just after birth and shortly thereafter. This was important to figure … [Read more...] about EonA assists organic goat farm “De Bonte Weide” with experiment “kids stay with mom”
Visit to Dutch slaughterhouse of male goat kids
Today Eyes on Animals paid a visit to a slaughterhouse in the East part of the Netherlands. During our visit, very young male kids of 7-14 day old, as well as fattened male kids of 4-5 weeks old arrived and were slaughtered. Male kids are a “by-product” of goat dairy farming. Thanks partly to pressure from Eyes on Animal, an increasing number of male kids are … [Read more...] about Visit to Dutch slaughterhouse of male goat kids
Proposal at the European Survey Committee: increase minimum transport age of goat-kids
Dutch Member of the European Parliament Anja Hazekamp has announced that she will submit a proposal to the European Survey Committee of animal transport to increase the minimum age that goat kids must be before being allowed to be transported. This is in response to a shocking inspection report by Eyes on Animals which revealed that many male-goat kids, from the Dutch … [Read more...] about Proposal at the European Survey Committee: increase minimum transport age of goat-kids
Visit to goat farm Ter Veen where kids stay with their mothers
Today we visited goat farm Ter Veen in Dorkwerd. At Ter Veen, the goat kids (both male and female) stay with their mothers in the herd for at least 12 weeks after birth. This is unusual because on most dairy goat farms the kids are taken away from the mother after birth, to be kept by themselves, in a plastic container and are fed colostrum through a … [Read more...] about Visit to goat farm Ter Veen where kids stay with their mothers
