Today, we saw a Spanish livestock truck at a pig farm in North Brabant, where young piglets were being loaded. We decided to take a look and introduced ourselves to one of the employees. He said we could observe on the condition that we did not film, which we naturally respected. However, just a few minutes later, the farm owner arrived and immediately ordered us to leave … [Read more...] about Welfare concerns during loading of piglets destined for Spain
live animal transports
Loading piglets at Van Rooi: reflecting together on how to reduce stress
Today we observed the loading of piglets at the Van Rooi assembly centre in Lieshout. The piglets being loaded were surplus animals, selected for slaughter in Croatia due to issues such as bitten ears or umbilical hernias. Our aim was to gain insight into how ‘fitness for transport’ is assessed, and to explore ways to reduce stress during loading. Herding and loading – … [Read more...] about Loading piglets at Van Rooi: reflecting together on how to reduce stress
Visit to pig assembly centre Van Rooi in Lieshout (NL)
Today we paid an unannounced visit to the pig assembly centre Van Rooi in Lieshout (NL). We were immediately given a tour of the lairage, where sows were being housed at the time. The animals were calm and resting, with enough space to lie on their sides without disturbing one another. The sawdust bedding was clean and fresh, and the overall impression was positive. Van … [Read more...] about Visit to pig assembly centre Van Rooi in Lieshout (NL)
Visit to transport, vaccination and catching company Broekman in Haler
While working in the field today, we spotted a truck belonging to Broekman B.V., a company specialised in catching, transporting and vaccinating young laying hens. As we happened to be near their head office in Haler, we decided to stop by spontaneously to introduce ourselves and, if possible, exchange ideas about the catching, loading and transport of laying … [Read more...] about Visit to transport, vaccination and catching company Broekman in Haler
As small slaughterhouses disappear, transport distances increase
Eyes on Animals is observing a troubling trend: transport distances for culled cows and sows are increasing due to the disappearance of small slaughterhouses. In regions such as Friesland, many local facilities have shut down, forcing animals from the northern Netherlands to be transported all the way to slaughterhouses in the east or south of the country and even deep … [Read more...] about As small slaughterhouses disappear, transport distances increase
