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
slaughterhouse design
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
Inspection of Wouters Halal slaughterhouse in De Hoef (NL)
On February 22nd a team of Eyes on Animals visited Halal slaughterhouse Wouters in De Hoef (NL). Wouters slaughters 1000 animals a week, mainly sheep and cattle. Animals are post-stunned. This means their necks are cut when they are fully conscious, but at least further suffering is reduced because directly after their throats are cut, they are stunned. During our … [Read more...] about Inspection of Wouters Halal slaughterhouse in De Hoef (NL)
Visit to the calf slaughterhouse ESA in Apeldoorn
On February 15, 2018, the Eyes on Animals team visited ESA calf slaughterhouse in Apeldoorn. ESA is part of the veal integration VanDrie Group. At ESA 5,000 rosé and white meat calves are slaughtered per week. Our visit was at the invitation of the animal-welfare team within ESA. Their plan is to renovate the lairage, raceway and restraint box - whereby they will apply, … [Read more...] about Visit to the calf slaughterhouse ESA in Apeldoorn
More effective stunning at slaughterhouse Fuite Veal
Based on our recommendation during a previous visit, the calf slaughterhouse "Fuite Veal" has bought two new captive bolt pistols to improve the effectiveness of rendering the calves unconscious before slaughter. Calves are now also left to bleed-out for a longer period of time, which is important to assure there is no risk of calves regaining consciousness. In the near … [Read more...] about More effective stunning at slaughterhouse Fuite Veal
Meeting with person responsible for Corlu slaughterhouse, Turkey
Last year this slaughterhouse bought a pneumatic stunner from a German company and started to offer its' clients the option of having their cattle stunned before being cut for slaughter. This was a breakthrough, as we have never seen stunners in use at any of the slaughterhouses we have visited in Turkey and stunning is still a taboo subject among many. The common belief … [Read more...] about Meeting with person responsible for Corlu slaughterhouse, Turkey
