Recently, Eyes on Animals and Animal Welfare Foundation (AWF) monitored two transports of Dutch piglets to a slaughterhouse in Croatia. These were “unwanted piglets” – young animals rejected for further fattening due to health problems or growth deformities, and therefore slaughtered prematurely. Many had umbilical hernias; others had bitten ears, abscesses, or growth … [Read more...] about Slaughter piglets from The Netherlands to Croatia: overcrowding, thirst, mortality and lack of enforcement
live animal transports
Export checks of young piglets for slaughter fall short: serious violations documented on transports from the Netherlands to Croatia
This summer, Eyes on Animals documented two long-distance transports of Dutch piglets to slaughterhouses in Croatia. Our findings show that export checks at Dutch assembly centres are far too superficial. We observed dead piglets upon arrival, overcrowded conditions on board, uneven loading between compartments, piglets in poor physical condition, and … [Read more...] about Export checks of young piglets for slaughter fall short: serious violations documented on transports from the Netherlands to Croatia
Eyes on Animals shares insights with veterinarian-inspectors in Kassel (DE) on chicken catching and transport
Today, Eyes on Animals gave a two-hour presentation to 40–50 veterinarians from the Kassel district in Germany. This region has a very high density of poultry farming. Precisely for that reason, it is crucial that veterinarians and inspectors are well trained in recognizing and improving poultry welfare during catching, loading, transport, and upon arrival at the … [Read more...] about Eyes on Animals shares insights with veterinarian-inspectors in Kassel (DE) on chicken catching and transport
Eyes on Animals presents on chicken welfare in Hannover during catching and loading
Today, Eyes on Animals presented at the annual ATF Conference "Current Problems in Animal Welfare" in Hannover. This conference, organized by the Stiftung Tierärztliche Hochschule Hannover, brings together veterinarians from across Germany to discuss pressing animal welfare issues. To an audience of veterinarians, we shared our observations and experiences regarding the … [Read more...] about Eyes on Animals presents on chicken welfare in Hannover during catching and loading
Upright catching at Demeter poultry farm De Dennenhoeve
This evening, a team from Eyes on Animals assisted with the catching and loading of hens at Demeter poultry farm De Dennenhoeve. This farm was one of the first to abandon the conventional method, in which hens are held upside down by a single leg. Seven years ago, they switched to the upright catching method developed by Eyes on Animals. As a token of appreciation, eight … [Read more...] about Upright catching at Demeter poultry farm De Dennenhoeve
Welfare concerns during loading of piglets destined for Spain
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
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 regional 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 regional 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 regional slaughterhouses disappear, transport distances increase
