Today we met with a Dutch livestock trailer manufacturer and a climate specialist about the welfare of pigs in cross-ventilated livestock trucks. These are enclosed livestock trucks that are mechanically ventilated. The consultation was prompted by our transport inspections during the summers of 2019 and 2020. Eyes on Animals measured the … [Read more...] about Consultation with a trailer manufacturer and a climate specialist on cross-ventilated livestock trucks
live animal transports
Inspection calf transports in Zuid-Holland
Today Eyes on Animals performed inspections of livestock trucks on a parking lot in Zuid-Holland. Drivers regularly wait here until they can unload the animals at the slaughterhouse nearby. We arrived around noon when the outside temperature was about 26C. There was enough shade for the cattle trucks due to high trees at the edge of the parking lot. There were … [Read more...] about Inspection calf transports in Zuid-Holland
Concerns about forced-ventilated closed livestock trucks
Eyes on Animals has written to several major truck-design companies regarding concerns we have with forced-ventilated closed livestock trucks. These trucks are completely closed and automatically ventilated. During our summer inspections, however, we witnessed this ventilation is not always sufficient, making these trucks very hot and humid - resulting in heat … [Read more...] about Concerns about forced-ventilated closed livestock trucks
Meeting with ZonVarken about reducing stress during transport and slaughter
Today we had a meeting with two representatives from ZonVarken. ZonVarken is an innovative pig farming concept focusing on animal welfare, the environment (including climate change), the farmer, and the local community. We were impressed with their innovative approach focusing on the pigs welfare and natural behaviour from birth to … [Read more...] about Meeting with ZonVarken about reducing stress during transport and slaughter
Inspection of the welfare of animals transported in today’s hot weather (NL)
Due to the heat, Eyes on Animals checked the welfare of animals in trucks waiting near Clazing poultry slaughterhouse and Boer calf slaughterhouse in the Netherlands. Many slaughterhouses like these, do not have enough space to be able to unload arriving livestock trucks immediately. The animals therefore have to wait on board, often in a parking lot, until the truck can … [Read more...] about Inspection of the welfare of animals transported in today’s hot weather (NL)
The Netherlands and several German Federal States put a stop to live exports
The Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality and several Federal States in Germany finally put a stop to the export of animals to third countries requiring a 24-hr stop, but other EU Member States must follow suit. For years EU animals, such as dairy cows and breeding pigs, slaughter-cattle and sheep, trucked to far away countries outside the EU have been … [Read more...] about The Netherlands and several German Federal States put a stop to live exports
Urgent letter to European Commission on cattle transport during corona
Together with more than 35 other international animal-welfare organizations, Eyes on Animals has sent an urgent letter to the European Commission. Click HERE to read the letter. We urge urged the EU to stop the international transport of animals immediately, now that all the "Corona" measures have left many borders barely open, locked … [Read more...] about Urgent letter to European Commission on cattle transport during corona
Eyes on Animals is training more and more highway police
This year, EonA has increased the number of training given to police to further reduce the suffering of animals during transport. Whereas in previous years the police only checked paperwork and driving times, there are now more and more officials on the highway who can also check the animals themselves. Before Eyes on Animals started training, the police often expressed … [Read more...] about Eyes on Animals is training more and more highway police
Eyes on Animals counsels the Lower House on the export of veal to China
After 17 years of negotiations, China now wants to import veal from the Netherlands. EonA director Lesley was invited to explain what effect this would have on the welfare of unweaned calves. In order to be able to supply more and more veal worldwide, the Netherlands will also have to import more and more live calves to fatten them up here in order to continue to meet … [Read more...] about Eyes on Animals counsels the Lower House on the export of veal to China
Finally some Member States take action to reduce level of animal suffering during transport in hot summer months
Despite inspectors from Eyes on Animals, TSB|AWF, Animals Angels and Compassion in World Farming repeatedly showing the EU Commission and Member State (MS) authorities of the horrendous way animals were suffering and dying during transport in the summer (due to the heat and humidity), trade in live animals has continued on and on, largely unchanged. Until this year, … [Read more...] about Finally some Member States take action to reduce level of animal suffering during transport in hot summer months
