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
slaughterhouse design
Visit to poultry slaughterhouse Clazing in Zevenhuizen (NL)
Today we made an unannounced visit to Clazing poultry slaughterhouse in Zevenhuizen (NL) because of the extreme heat. Clazing is a slaughterhouse with Halal certification. The chickens are reversibly stunned with an electrical waterbath. The containers (with live chickens in it) are first tilted, then manually hung upside down by their legs. They are then dragged … [Read more...] about Visit to poultry slaughterhouse Clazing in Zevenhuizen (NL)
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
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
