Eyes on Animals visited a big Dutch slaughterhouse to observe if drivers delivering the pigs took precautions to protect the pigs from the cold weather (1-2 degrees) today. We observed several drivers that had left almost all of the side shutters of their truck open when they arrived. This of course is far too cold for the pigs, especially with the wind chill when … [Read more...] about Inspection of pig trucks during cold weather
live animal transports
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
Footage from Eyes on Animals to European Parliament
A new film by Eyes on Animals, Welfarm, Animals International and Animal Welfare Foundation, showing Dutch cattle being very badly treated in Lebanese and Libyan slaughterhouses, has been discussed in the Dutch Parliament. The Dutch Agriculture Minister states that it is of great concern that Dutch animals are slaughtered in countries where the animal welfare standards are … [Read more...] about Footage from Eyes on Animals to European Parliament
Virtual Meeting with Irish authorities from DAFM about calf exports
In reaction to our yearly investigative reports and letters of complaint regarding Irish exports of unweaned calves to mainland Europe, the Irish authorities asked to virtually meet with us finally. Together with representatives from Ethical Farming Ireland, CIWF UK, ISPCA and the Swedish Association for the Protection of Animals we spoke about the long distance journeys … [Read more...] about Virtual Meeting with Irish authorities from DAFM about calf exports
Meeting with Stena Ferries about the unweaned calves they accept on board from Rosslare (IRE) to the Cherbourg (FR)
Today Eyes on Animals and the Swedish Association for the Protection of Animals met virtually with representatives from Stena Line in Sweden and the UK. At the meeting we handed over a petition with 22,882 signatures to Stena Line, that appeals to the ferry company to stop transporting livestock/young calves onboard their ferries from Ireland to France. Eyes on … [Read more...] about Meeting with Stena Ferries about the unweaned calves they accept on board from Rosslare (IRE) to the Cherbourg (FR)
Consultation with a trailer manufacturer and a climate specialist on cross-ventilated livestock trucks
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
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)
