All the years of investigative work Eyes on Animals, L214 and Ethical Farming Ireland did together, visiting Irish calf markets and trailing trucks full of unweaned calves from Ireland via France to veal farms in The Netherlands may finally be paying off. The Dutch parliament voted today in favour of putting a stop to these long-distance transports of unweaned calves. … [Read more...] about Dutch Parliament votes to ban import of unweaned calves from Ireland and other countries
live animal transports
VanDrie Group ignores continuous violations in calf imports
In recent years, Eyes on Animals has repeatedly alerted the VanDrie Group to the systematic violations in the importation of Irish calves. During their journey to Dutch calf-fattening farms, young calves are deprived of milk for more than 30 hours, which contravenes the European Transport Regulation. Additionally, we have observed that calves are consistently kicked and … [Read more...] about VanDrie Group ignores continuous violations in calf imports
Visit to Remkes Poultry Slaughterhouse in Epe (NL) on a Hot Day
Today, we conducted an unannounced visit to Remkes in Epe (NL), where broiler breeders are slaughtered. This visit was prompted by the warm weather conditions (approximately 27°C). Waiting timesBroiler breeders, similar to laying hens, are often caught in the evening as they are calmer at that time. However, this also means that birds frequently arrive at the … [Read more...] about Visit to Remkes Poultry Slaughterhouse in Epe (NL) on a Hot Day
Visit to Van den Bor poultry slaughterhouse on a hot day
Today, we conducted an unannounced visit to the Van den Bor poultry slaughterhouse in Nijkerkerveen due to the warm weather (approximately 27 degrees Celsius). In 2021, Van den Bor was taken over by Esbro. On their premises, we observed two trucks carrying broiler chickens. The trucks were parked (mostly) in the shade next to a row of trees, but there were no mobile fans … [Read more...] about Visit to Van den Bor poultry slaughterhouse on a hot day
Norwegian duck farmer implements improved herding and catching method for ducks
In many countries including the Netherlands, when meat ducks are caught for transport to slaughter, they are typically grabbed by the neck (under the head), several at a time, and thrown into crates or containers from a distance. Holte Gard, a mixed farm in Norway, demonstrates that there is an alternative approach. Using partitions, "lanes" are created at the edges of … [Read more...] about Norwegian duck farmer implements improved herding and catching method for ducks
Trailing of Irish calves to Dutch veal farms reveals violations, abuse and poor living conditions
Last March three international teams (L214, Ethical Farming Ireland and Eyes on Animals) trailed four trucks from Irish assembly centers to veal farms in the Netherlands. The trail included trucks from the Irish companies Hallissey and Hinde and the Dutch company Gebroeders Poll. The investigation reveals the stressful 3-4 day long journey and in-transit … [Read more...] about Trailing of Irish calves to Dutch veal farms reveals violations, abuse and poor living conditions
Violence against young calves at Pignet control post
Each year tens of thousands of Irish calves, exported to Dutch veal farms, are transported via control posts in Couville and Tollevast, Cherbourg. Here the calves have to be fed and rested for 12 hours, as required by Council Regulation 1/2005. Footage taken in March 2023 at Pignet control post in Couville reveals that the treatment of the calves is horrendous. The … [Read more...] about Violence against young calves at Pignet control post
Calves not given any milk for over 30 hours
Investigations by Eyes on Animals, Ethical Farming Ireland and L214 reveal that young calves, imported from Ireland, are still kept on board of trucks for over 30 hours without giving them any milk. Not feeding unweaned calves for such a long period is in violation of Council Regulation 1/2005 which requires feeding after a maximum of 19 hours. Unweaned calves, … [Read more...] about Calves not given any milk for over 30 hours
Visit to Livestock trader and transport company Venneker
Today, we paid a visit to Venneker in Germany to brainstorm animal welfare improvements in pig transportation. Venneker's latest trucks are equipped with sprinklers and 60 fans to reduce heat stress. They also have smart cameras above the loading ramp. Currently, these cameras are primarily used for pig counting, but in the future, they could also be utilized for animal … [Read more...] about Visit to Livestock trader and transport company Venneker
Panic and injuries during the loading of hens into transport containers
Eyes on Animals is very concerned about the use of transport-containers for spent hens. In various countries, we have witnessed how spent hens are loaded into these containers. The problems were the same everywhere: the container-drawers are too low and too wide. The hens (which are taller than the drawers) have to be literally pushed and folded into them. Due to the panic … [Read more...] about Panic and injuries during the loading of hens into transport containers
