In the Netherlands, increasingly more animals are being transported in force ventilated or climate controlled trucks, which are completely closed. These trucks look modern, but do they really improve animal welfare? Eyes on Animals investigated this question for Wakker Dier - a Dutch non-profit organization. From interviews with truck drivers, truck-design companies and … [Read more...] about Eyes on Animal investigates closed trucks
live animal transports
Training of Official Road Inspectors and veterinarians in Opole, Poland
Today Eyes on Animals and AWF|TSB gave a training course on Regulation (EC) 1/2005 to a group of 40 Official Road Inspectors (ITD) and government veterinarians from the Opole region in Poland. We witness some lively discussions and sense some frustration in cases where law is not perfect enough to really protect animals. We appreciate such discussions a lot, even if there … [Read more...] about Training of Official Road Inspectors and veterinarians in Opole, Poland
Polish pig transport company must appear in court
A Polish pig transport company must appear in court following complaints from Eyes on Animals and AWF | TSB. The transport company was checked twice by us. The first time there were several sick pigs on board, including a pig with a growth under his belly the size of a Skippy ball, a pig with respiratory problems and a pig with a prolapse. In the second check, the pigs … [Read more...] about Polish pig transport company must appear in court
Dutch poultry transporter and organizer fined
Last summer, Eyes on Animals checked the arrival of poultry trucks to a large chicken slaughterhouse in the province of Utrecht. We saw poultry trucks parked in the sun for hours which caused chicken to literally die of the heat. The slaughterhouse director refused to talk to us. We therefore immediately called the Dutch authorities to file a complaint. Based on our … [Read more...] about Dutch poultry transporter and organizer fined
Training of Road Police and Veterinarians in Gdansk (Poland) – Practical part
Early this morning we drove 60 km south-west of Gdansk to the village of Stezyca. The representatives of ITD, veterinary inspection and the police that participated in our theoretical course yesterday are already there. As soon as we get out of the car, our team member spots the first animal truck, which is immediately stopped for inspection. All in all, … [Read more...] about Training of Road Police and Veterinarians in Gdansk (Poland) – Practical part
Training of road police (ITD) in Olsztyn, Poland – Theory
Olsztyn has a group of 30 ITD (Road Inspection) inspectors and two policemen attending our training course on the EC 1/2005 directive covering the protection of animals during transport. Today we cover the theory and the importance of unannounced checks on the road of livestock trucks passing by their region. The attendants are enthusiastic for tomorrow's practical … [Read more...] about Training of road police (ITD) in Olsztyn, Poland – Theory
Inspection of EU cattle trucks heading into Turkey
Shocking news. Today our team that had been busy inspecting slaughterhouses in Turkey, drove quickly up to the Turkish/EU border for 1.5 days to get an impression of the latest situation at this border for live animals. The team was accompanied by French journalists. Now that the EU and its Member States have felt the pressure to finally enforce maximum live-animal … [Read more...] about Inspection of EU cattle trucks heading into Turkey
Meeting with Masterrind and ADR (German export-companies sending pregnant cattle to Turkey)
Today Eyes on Animals and AWF/TSB were in Bonn to meet with the German Cattle Breeders Federation and Masterrind about the situation for the thousands of pregnant heifers they exported to Turkey this past summer. We think we may have achieved a first small step : they will discuss internally our proposals that they stop exporting animals during hot weather, not use animal … [Read more...] about Meeting with Masterrind and ADR (German export-companies sending pregnant cattle to Turkey)
Inspection of EU cattle trucks at Turkish border
One of our teams is on the Turkish side of the EU/TR border and inspected 15 livestock trucks today transporting live bovines from EU member states into Turkey. The majority of the animals appear to be in a suitable condition. However on one of the trucks we discover two new-born calves. They were born on the truck during the journey from German. This should never have … [Read more...] about Inspection of EU cattle trucks at Turkish border
Inspection of Dutch pigs trucks at Weidemark slaughterhouse during a heatwave
Today a team from Eyes on Animals, together with Vroege Vogels Dutch radio, made an unannounced visit to Weidemark slaughterhouse in Soegel, Germany. We wanted to check if Dutch pig-transport companies were respecting their own new "Heat Protocol" guidelines which require 10%- 20% lower pig density levels when it is very hot outside (27 degrees for a period of 4 days or … [Read more...] about Inspection of Dutch pigs trucks at Weidemark slaughterhouse during a heatwave
