Last spring Eyes on Animals together with Dr. Kees Scheepens helped Westfort pig slaughterhouse develop a “Plan-of-Action” to significantly reduce animal-stress inside their plant. Westfort pig slaughterhouse started by intensively training their personnel on animal-welfare and how to carry out their specific tasks optimally. Each employee was then evaluated to be sure … [Read more...] about pH of meat improved by 0.2 after Westfort improves animal-welfare
pig slaughterhouse
Follow-up check on Westfort pig slaughterhouse, NL
After Animal Rights released undercover footage from inside Westfort slaughterhouse last year, Eyes on Animals together with Dr. Kees Scheepens met with the managers of the plant and those responsible for quality to encourage them to take steps to reduce animal stress. They too were eager to make improvements. At the time, we walked through the slaughterhouse together, … [Read more...] about Follow-up check on Westfort pig slaughterhouse, NL
Training and testing at large European pig slaughterhouse – Phase 2
Today we returned to the European pig slaughterhouse that reached out for help so that we could continue testing out ways to reduce some of the stress the animals experience in their plant. We were pleased that they had been busy with construction and had made many improvements to the corridor and tunnel. The light from the windows that had been creating reflections … [Read more...] about Training and testing at large European pig slaughterhouse – Phase 2
Training and testing at large European pig slaughterhouse
On August 24th we had a brainstorm session with Dr. Temple Grandin and the CEO/COO of a large pig slaughterhouse in Europe. This was to look at how to continuously improve animal welfare at their plant. Today was our first day at the plant to observe their present status and make plans on improving their set-up where possible. We documented all potential stress areas in … [Read more...] about Training and testing at large European pig slaughterhouse
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
Visit at VION pig slaughterhouse in Boxtel
Today, we paid a surprise visit to VION pig slaughterhouse in Boxtel. The purpose of this visit was to see what measures had been taken to prevent or reduce heat stress in pigs arriving at the slaughterhouse. Many measures had been taken to lower the temperature for the trucks waiting in front of the slaughterhouse: a canopy provided shade, industrial fans were in place … [Read more...] about Visit at VION pig slaughterhouse in Boxtel
Visit to pig slaughterhouse VION Apeldoorn during the heat
Today we carried out an unannounced inspection at VION slaughterhouse in Apeldoorn because of the tropical weather. It was around 31°C in the shade and 37°C in the sun, with an air humidity of around 30%. We observed a waiting truck, visited the lairage and talked to the company manager about measures to combat heat stress. VION Apeldoorn had … [Read more...] about Visit to pig slaughterhouse VION Apeldoorn during the heat
Eyes on Animals follow-up visit to pig slaughterhouse Van Rooi, NL
EonA again visited the Van Rooi pig slaughterhouse in Helmond during the first tropical day of this year. We were welcomed to come in and were able to see their adjustments to counteract heat stress. Under their parking garage, the entire ground floor had been kept empty where the livestock trucks could wait. So there was shade everywhere. A large misting system was … [Read more...] about Eyes on Animals follow-up visit to pig slaughterhouse Van Rooi, NL
Pali pig slaughterhouse makes efforts to reduce stress
Following a visit by Eyes on Animals in 2018, Pali pig slaughterhouse in Geldrop made several improvements to their slaughterhouse. Our main concern at Pali was the single-file raceway to the electric stunner and the high noise level in the slaughterhouse. Due to design errors and (optical) obstructions, the pigs hesitated to enter the raceway and congestion arose. A lot … [Read more...] about Pali pig slaughterhouse makes efforts to reduce stress
Grossfurtner pig slaughterhouse in Austria made major improvements
Following a visit by Eyes on Animals in late 2017, Grossfurtner completely rebuilt its slaughterhouse to bring animal welfare to a higher level and significantly reduce the levels of stress among pigs. These improvements make a world of difference to the pigs. Switching from CO2 to electric stunningWhile more and more slaughterhouses switch to CO2 … [Read more...] about Grossfurtner pig slaughterhouse in Austria made major improvements
