The heat protocol, that has been produced by the industry, fails to protect pigs from heat stress and is regularly being violated. During our inspections Eyes on Animals witnessed many pigs suffering from heat stress in the queues waiting outside the slaughterhouses. Many pigs arrived when the temperature already exceeded 35 degrees. This means the industry fails to … [Read more...] about Heat protocol fails to protect pigs from heat-stress
pigs
Visit to pig slaughterhouse Pali in Geldrop (NL)
Today we made an unannounced visit to the Pali pig slaughterhouse in Geldrop. When we arrived (13:45) there was no activity. The manager told us that because of the extreme heat all the pigs had already been taken inside before 12 noon. He explained that their pig trucks never have to wait outside the plant. Pali has their own transporters (no external transport companies) … [Read more...] about Visit to pig slaughterhouse Pali in Geldrop (NL)
Visit to Compaxo pig slaughterhouse in Zevenaar (NL)
Today we inspected Compaxo, a pig slaughterhouse in Zevenaar. Outside temperatures are 33 degrees Celsius in the shade and 37 degrees Celsius in the sun. Because the temperature is above 27 degrees Celsius the industry’s heat protocol is active. We are welcomed by two managers from Compaxo. They explain to us that the arrival of pigs is staggered over the course of the … [Read more...] about Visit to Compaxo pig slaughterhouse in Zevenaar (NL)
Visit to pig slaughterhouse VION in Boxtel during the heatwave
Because of the extreme heat we made an unannounced visit to slaughterhouse VION in Boxtel today. On arrival (10:45, 38 degrees Celsius) there were no less than 8 loaded pig trucks waiting in front of the slaughterhouse. The trucks were parked in direct sunlight. There were a few small fans and the asphalt was sprayed with water, however, these measures were inadequate to … [Read more...] about Visit to pig slaughterhouse VION in Boxtel during the heatwave
Visit to Westfort pig slaughterhouse in IJsselstein
Today was very hot out so we brought an unannounced visit to Westfort pig slaughterhouse in IJsselstein (NL) to check on the condition of the pigs being brought to slaughter there. We arrived at around noon when the temperature was approximately 28 degrees Celsius. We spoke to the manager and an animal welfare officer of the slaughterhouse and together checked on some of … [Read more...] about Visit to Westfort pig slaughterhouse in IJsselstein
Visit to the Van Rooi export assembly center
Today we visited Van Rooi assembly center in Lieshout. There were sows and piglets at the time of our visit. Because there was a wind, the temperature in the barn was fairly comfortable, even though it was almost 30 degrees outside. The doors were open on both sides, allowing the wind to flow through the area. The sows had troughs with water to drink from. In contrast … [Read more...] about Visit to the Van Rooi export assembly center
Visit of Janssen Neerkant pig export assembly center
Today we visited Janssen export assembly center in Neerkant. There was plenty of activity at the time of our visit. There were hundreds of sows and piglets present. There was also one boar. Piglets with abnormalities are collected from many different Dutch farms eager to get rid of them, and brought here to be grouped together and exported to slaughterhouses in Croatia … [Read more...] about Visit of Janssen Neerkant pig export assembly center
Inspection of the piglet transport from Pali
Today our team found a parked drag unit from Pali in the south of the Netherlands loaded with young piglets. The consignments were of so-called "residual piglets". These are piglets that go to slaughter because of (minor) disorders, such as an umbilical hernia or bitten ears, and are therefore not fattened up. The unit was parked in direct sunlight. The driver picked up … [Read more...] about Inspection of the piglet transport from Pali
Visit pig farm Dykhoeve in Herwen
Today a team from Eyes on Animals visited pig farm Dykhoeve in Herwen. Farmer Jeroen keeps his pigs here in a more natural environment. The pigs walk in fields where they can dig the ground with their snouts and search for food. The pigs have wooden houses with plenty of straw, where they are free to go in whenever they want. The pigs houses are built on poles, which … [Read more...] about Visit pig farm Dykhoeve in Herwen
Visit to intensive pig farm in Erichem destroyed by fire
Today, Eyes on Animals, together with photographer Jack Tummers, visited the mega pig farm, Knorhof in Erichem - which had been completely destroyed by fire a day earlier. There were no less than 24,000 pigs at this intensive farm. Only one pig survived the fire - but it was later euthanized because of its many injuries. The fire was noticed by a truck driver who was … [Read more...] about Visit to intensive pig farm in Erichem destroyed by fire
