Sadly factory pig farming is growing in Ghana. WACPAW/EonA are busy making sure the same mistakes made in the west are not repeated. The WACPAW/EonA team recently returned to Pretty Piper Pig Farm, after visiting it for the first time earlier in the summer. The purpose of today’s visit was to train farmhands, management, and slaughtermen in three key areas: pig … [Read more...] about Training on pig welfare and humane slaughter at Pretty Piper Pig farm, Ghana
slaughterhouses
Visit to laying hen slaughterhouse in Flanders
Today, we paid a visit to a large slaughterhouse in Flanders, where laying hens from the Netherlands, France, Germany and Belgium are processed. Our aim was to observe the measures in place to prevent heat stress and to raise concerns about the containers in which part of the hens are transported. After a productive discussion, we were given access to observe the lairage, … [Read more...] about Visit to laying hen slaughterhouse in Flanders
Visit to poultry slaughterhouse Wilki in Ravels (Belgium)
Today, our team made an unannounced visit to slaughterhouse Wilki in Ravels, where large numbers of Dutch laying hens are slaughtered. At our suggestion, Wilki previously installed a canopy for poultry trucks. In warm weather, loaded trucks can wait here instead of standing in direct sunlight. We inspected the canopy today: it accommodates 2–3 trucks and is equipped … [Read more...] about Visit to poultry slaughterhouse Wilki in Ravels (Belgium)
As regional slaughterhouses disappear, transport distances increase
Eyes on Animals is observing a troubling trend: transport distances for culled cows and sows are increasing due to the disappearance of regional slaughterhouses. In regions such as Friesland, many local facilities have shut down, forcing animals from the northern Netherlands to be transported all the way to slaughterhouses in the east or south of the country and even deep … [Read more...] about As regional slaughterhouses disappear, transport distances increase
Training on stunning at a Halal sheep slaughterhouse in Ankara, Turkey
In late April 2025, Eyes on Animals (EonA) and specialists from Bristol University held a transformative two-day training session at a halal slaughterhouse in Turkey. The goal was to train slaughterhouse workers on how to use a head electric stunner in order to render sheep unconscious before slaughter—an approach that dramatically reduces pain and distress. Electric head … [Read more...] about Training on stunning at a Halal sheep slaughterhouse in Ankara, Turkey
Training on cattle behaviour and welfare at FamilyBeef slaughterhouse in Epe (NL)
Today, Eyes on Animals, together with MHS Consultancy, gave an animal welfare training to the staff of the FamilyBeef cattle slaughterhouse. Using photos and videos, we guided them through the sensory world of the cow:🔹 How does a cow see?🔹 What does she hear?🔹 What does her behaviour tell us? Hesitating or refusing to walk is rarely due to … [Read more...] about Training on cattle behaviour and welfare at FamilyBeef slaughterhouse in Epe (NL)
EonA gives talk at French Ministry on new pig stunning option we worked on that causes less pain and stress
We presented our project on redesigning a large pig abattoir in western Europe, that we worked on with the manager and with Temple Grandin in our team, to reduce pig suffering during slaughter. Together we greatly improved automatic electric stunning, and this method is now a viable alternative to CO2-gas stunning and will have an impact on reducing the suffering for … [Read more...] about EonA gives talk at French Ministry on new pig stunning option we worked on that causes less pain and stress
No further improvements in animal welfare at Heinen slaughterhouse in Zelhem (NL)
In 2015 and 2017, Eyes on Animals visited Heinen slaughterhouse in Zelhem (NL), where pigs and cattle are slaughtered. Following our advice, adjustments were made to the pig restraint box, which led to some improvements. Although we appreciated these changes, the process of moving pigs towards the restraint box remained very stressful, and further improvements were clearly … [Read more...] about No further improvements in animal welfare at Heinen slaughterhouse in Zelhem (NL)
Illustration of electric stunning at a halal sheep abattoir near Tekirdag, Turkey
Together with humane-slaughter specialists from Bristol university, Eyes on Animals re-visited this cattle and sheep slaughterhouse that EonA knows very well. Years ago we taught the use of captive bolt stunners on cattle. We were very pleased to see that the captive bolt stunner we gave them 4 years ago is still in use and gave them some more boxes of cartridges. Since … [Read more...] about Illustration of electric stunning at a halal sheep abattoir near Tekirdag, Turkey
Training on upright catching and stunning of poultry in Cape Coast, Ghana
Today the Wacpaw/EonA team visited Cape Coast (Ghana) to conduct training for workers at the Meat Unit Abattoir as well as Meat Science students on the humane catching and handling of poultry during slaughter. We also installed pneumatic poultry stunning equipment (the Zephyr phenumatic poultry stun gun) to ensure that poultry are rendered unconscious first before … [Read more...] about Training on upright catching and stunning of poultry in Cape Coast, Ghana
