The climate crisis affects us all, but especially the pigs that are raised extensively and the farmers who do everything to give their pigs a good life outside where they have fresh air, can run and play, root and wallow! Being an "outdoor" pig farmer in the Netherlands has never been as difficult or as costly as in this past year. We want to support Kees Scheepens and … [Read more...] about Help Pigs Stay Outdoors: Join Our Crowdfunding Campaign!
pigs
Hosting of conference “Phasing Out Surgical Castration in the Dutch Organic Pig Meat Sector”
Today Eyes on Animals together with Dr. Kees Scheepens (outdoor organic Dutch pig farmer, veterinarian and ethologist) hosted an international conference on phasing out surgical pig castration in the Dutch Organic Pig Meat sector. Speakers from France, UK and Germany were present, as well as Dutch pig farmers and players in the Dutch organic pork chain and … [Read more...] about Hosting of conference “Phasing Out Surgical Castration in the Dutch Organic Pig Meat Sector”
Meeting with Ministry, VIN and Brandt & Levie about pig castration
Today Eyes on Animals met with representatives from the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, sausage company Brandt & Levie, Varkens in Nood (Pigs in Peril) and organic pig farmer Kees Scheepens to discuss how we can help the organic pig sector find a path towards a future where castration is phased out. Kees Scheepens and one other Dutch organic pig farmer, Gideon … [Read more...] about Meeting with Ministry, VIN and Brandt & Levie about pig castration
Farm Animal Memorial Day
We helped farmer Dr. Kees Scheepens with his request to host a Farm Animal Memorial Day at his organic free-range pig and cattle farm. Kees gave a talk about the trauma many farmers and vets developed from having to "kill" so many healthy animals during virus outbreaks, just for economic reasons. Thousands of crocheted white roses were planted in a spiral to represent the … [Read more...] about Farm Animal Memorial Day
Eyes on Animals files objection in regards to Lunteren pig assembly centre
Back in early March we arrived at assembly centre Lunteren to find a trailer with two seriously injured sows onboard. One of the sows had a large open wound across her entire back. Another sow had a large and badly healed wound on her rear flank and she was foaming and panting. Read the website report here >> The video footage we took resulted … [Read more...] about Eyes on Animals files objection in regards to Lunteren pig assembly centre
Some pig assembly centers allow and some do not allow EonA to visit
In recent years Eyes on Animals has visited several assembly centers for sows and piglets in the Netherlands. Sows and piglets are collected from different farms and gathered at these centers to be sent to slaughterhouses abroad. They are sent for slaughter because they are less productive or have (small) abnormalities. For sows it often concerns fertility issues, … [Read more...] about Some pig assembly centers allow and some do not allow EonA to visit
Observations of heat-stress in pigs transported in different types of trucks in the Netherlands
Today, in connection with the warm weather (28 degrees Celsius, 50% relative humidity) Eyes on Animals set out to inspect different types of pig transportation trucks. We took temperature and humidity measurements, checked the load density and observed the behaviour of the animals. The trucks were parked under a roofing with fans. Three cross-ventilated … [Read more...] about Observations of heat-stress in pigs transported in different types of trucks in the Netherlands
Pig farm for public viewing in Beemsterlant (NL) a disappointment
In an attempt to be more transparent, the pig industry in the Netherlands started a project to make several pig farms “open” for public viewing. Instead of sealed walls and no access, these farms would have several windows where people would be encouraged to peek in. Today an inspector from Eyes on Animals dropped by one of these pig farms, Beemsterlant. There were … [Read more...] about Pig farm for public viewing in Beemsterlant (NL) a disappointment
Inspections of pig trucks during cold weather, Boxtel (NL)
Today a team from Eyes on Animals returned to Boxtel to observe trucks with pigs on board, heading to the nearby Vion slaughterhouse. Last time we checked trucks arriving on a cold day here, there was much variation. Many trucks had had their shutters wide open, others mainly closed to protect the animals. Today we fortunately saw less variation, with 7 trucks only having … [Read more...] about Inspections of pig trucks during cold weather, Boxtel (NL)
First meeting of committee “welfare improvement at pig slaughter”
Today, the committee on "welfare improvement in pig slaughter” met for the first time. The committee includes: Two scientific experts on stunning, a veterinarian specializing in pigs and their behavior, a technical expert on slaughter lines, an animal welfare manager from a large pig slaughterhouse and Eyes on Animals. Reasons for the committee Many pigs in … [Read more...] about First meeting of committee “welfare improvement at pig slaughter”
