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
slaughterhouse design
BREAKING: Major success in Turkey!
Eyes on Animals successfully organized getting a pneumatic stunner in place at a slaughterhouse so cattle will no longer have their throats cut while still sensitive to pain. We asked Toennies and Hunland to finance the cost of it. Now all cattle passing through this plant will be stunned. It is a first for Turkey ! We are getting real changes into practice so suffering … [Read more...] about BREAKING: Major success in Turkey!
Visit to the poultry slaughterhouse Storteboom in Kornhorn
Today we visited the poultry slaughterhouse Storteboom in Kornhorn to give advice on how stress and suffering in their slaughterhouse could be reduced. Wouter Veerkamp of the company Meyn was also present. First of all, Storteboom showed us their transport containers. Based on earlier advice we had given them, they had changed the design of their construction in order to … [Read more...] about Visit to the poultry slaughterhouse Storteboom in Kornhorn
Slaughterhouse Weidemark (Germany) makes changes to reduce heat stress
Eyes on Animals visited this pig slaughterhouse in the summer of 2016 (many Dutch pigs are slaughtered here) and noticed that many animals had to wait on board trucks, in the sun, for hours before being unloaded. We spoke with the director and insisted immediate measures be taken to reduce some of the heat stress risks. The first thing they should do is order industrial … [Read more...] about Slaughterhouse Weidemark (Germany) makes changes to reduce heat stress
Less noise in restraining box Vitelco calf slaughterhouse
Slaughterhouse Vitelco has adjusted their restraining box from pneumatics towards hydraulic. This resulted in a significant noise reduction. This is an important step for animal welfare because noise, especially sudden and hissing ones, can cause a lot of stress in cattle. It makes them balk and too scared to enter the box. Loud sporadic noise can also make animals inside … [Read more...] about Less noise in restraining box Vitelco calf slaughterhouse
Wouters slaughterhouse reduces stress in their slaughterhouse
Wouters has made some improvements in their slaughterhouse to reduce stress amongst the cattle. At Wouters cattle are slaughtered for the Halal market. They first have their throats cut and only after are stunned with a captive bolt pistol (to render them unconscious and no longer sensible to pain). In order to easily access the throat to make the cut, the cattle’s heads … [Read more...] about Wouters slaughterhouse reduces stress in their slaughterhouse
Flanders Meat Group slaughterhouse, Zele, BE
Eyes on Animals was invited by the manager of this slaughterhouse to give our opinion about the conditions inside and what we think could be further improved on. Since early 2017 the cattle are all pre-stunned, also for Halal as the local Imams approve it. This is a terrific improvement and we congratulate the Imams and the manager for listening and learning from each … [Read more...] about Flanders Meat Group slaughterhouse, Zele, BE
Eyes on Animals guest speaker at Leuven University Debate on “Non-Stun Ritual Slaughter”, Belgium
Eyes on Animals was asked to give a talk on the topic on non-stun Ritual slaughter. What were our observations in the field, what are the on-going challenges, what is the best way to get people in dialogue to make progress and reduce animal suffering? Other speakers were from Halal slaughterhouses now using pre-stunning, an Islamic Theologian, and Dr. Piet vantemsche who … [Read more...] about Eyes on Animals guest speaker at Leuven University Debate on “Non-Stun Ritual Slaughter”, Belgium
Improvements at cattle slaughterhouse Flanders (BE)
Eyes on Animals visited the Flanders cattle slaughterhouse of Flanders Meat Group in Zele, Belgium, at the invitation of the veterinarian. We encountered some problems that could be improved. The veterinarian himself also had some ideas and so we were able to combine our findings. After our visit he energetically proceeded to put the improvements into place. Some … [Read more...] about Improvements at cattle slaughterhouse Flanders (BE)
Poultry slaughterhouse Remkes reduces stress during stunning and transport
As a result of our inspection, poultry slaughterhouse Remkes in Epe has extended the gas tunnel so that the exposure to CO2 is less abrupt and causes a little less panic. However, we continue to encourage industry and science to find alternatives to CO2 as this gas is aversive. Earlier this year, this slaughterhouse also fixed the conveyer belt on our advice - so that the … [Read more...] about Poultry slaughterhouse Remkes reduces stress during stunning and transport
