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
pigs
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”
Inspection of pig trucks during cold weather
Eyes on Animals visited a big Dutch slaughterhouse to observe if drivers delivering the pigs took precautions to protect the pigs from the cold weather (1-2 degrees) today. We observed several drivers that had left almost all of the side shutters of their truck open when they arrived. This of course is far too cold for the pigs, especially with the wind chill when … [Read more...] about Inspection of pig trucks during cold weather