After Eyes on Animals were invited to submit evidence to the UK Government’s consultation on a possible ban on live exports from the UK, we were duly invited to attend a meeting at DEFRA’s head office in London, along with WAP (World Animal Protection) and CIWF UK to discuss options available to the UK regarding the trade in live exports once they exit the EU. The … [Read more...] about Meeting with DEFRA (Departement for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
live animal transports
Meeting with industry about “National plan extreme temperatures”
Today Eyes on Animals attended a meeting with stakeholders from the livestock industry (Vee&Logistiek and COV) about the “National plan extreme temperatures”, also called the ‘heat protocol’ which has been developed by the industry. The Dierenbescherming (Dutch Society for the Protection of Animals) was also present. Eyes on Animals requested the meeting after they … [Read more...] about Meeting with industry about “National plan extreme temperatures”
P&O Ferries stops accepting livestock trucks carrying young calves
Eyes on Animals played a leading role in major ferry company, P&O, ending the export of young calves from Scotland for onward transportation to Spain. Eyes on Animals uncovered numerous journey logs under the Freedom of Information Act stating that the P&O ferry company was facilitating the trade in young calves from Cairnryan Port in Scotland, via Ireland for … [Read more...] about P&O Ferries stops accepting livestock trucks carrying young calves
Heat protocol fails to protect pigs from heat-stress
The heat protocol, that has been produced by the industry, fails to protect pigs from heat stress and is regularly being violated. During our inspections Eyes on Animals witnessed many pigs suffering from heat stress in the queues waiting outside the slaughterhouses. Many pigs arrived when the temperature already exceeded 35 degrees. This means the industry fails to … [Read more...] about Heat protocol fails to protect pigs from heat-stress
Visit to pig slaughterhouse Pali in Geldrop (NL)
Today we made an unannounced visit to the Pali pig slaughterhouse in Geldrop. When we arrived (13:45) there was no activity. The manager told us that because of the extreme heat all the pigs had already been taken inside before 12 noon. He explained that their pig trucks never have to wait outside the plant. Pali has their own transporters (no external transport companies) … [Read more...] about Visit to pig slaughterhouse Pali in Geldrop (NL)
Visit of Janssen Neerkant pig export assembly center
Today we visited Janssen export assembly center in Neerkant. There was plenty of activity at the time of our visit. There were hundreds of sows and piglets present. There was also one boar. Piglets with abnormalities are collected from many different Dutch farms eager to get rid of them, and brought here to be grouped together and exported to slaughterhouses in Croatia … [Read more...] about Visit of Janssen Neerkant pig export assembly center
Inspection of the piglet transport from Pali
Today our team found a parked drag unit from Pali in the south of the Netherlands loaded with young piglets. The consignments were of so-called "residual piglets". These are piglets that go to slaughter because of (minor) disorders, such as an umbilical hernia or bitten ears, and are therefore not fattened up. The unit was parked in direct sunlight. The driver picked up … [Read more...] about Inspection of the piglet transport from Pali
Storteboom improves poultry containers to reduce injuries
Poultry slaughterhouse Storteboom took our advice into consideration on how they could improve their poultry containers and has now made positive changes. In the front of the containers there used to be one horizontal metal bar and two diagonal ones. During catching and loading, birds would sometimes crash against these metal bars, causing pain, fear and also injury. … [Read more...] about Storteboom improves poultry containers to reduce injuries
Improvements in Ghanaian pig slaughterhouses
Our efforts from last October are paying off ! Last fall we trained over 150 Ghanaian slaughterhouse workers and agricultural students on what steps can be taken to reduce animal-suffering during slaughter. This training was done in the classroom but also directly in several slaughterhouses there. Please take a look at this short video to see what we achieved at two pig … [Read more...] about Improvements in Ghanaian pig slaughterhouses
Checking arrival of pigs at Vion Boxtel in summer heat, NL
Today was very hot outside and thus a team from Eyes on Animals made an unannounced visit to Vion slaughterhouse in Boxtel to check if the slaughterhouse was well prepared to protect pigs from heat stress. The outside temperature is 27 - 28 degrees and there are no clouds. We saw that Vion employees were spraying the asphalt under the waiting pig trucks to keep the asphalt … [Read more...] about Checking arrival of pigs at Vion Boxtel in summer heat, NL
