For years, Irish calves are bought by Dutch producers that raise them for veal, a by-product of the Irish dairy industry. The Irish dairy industry is so massive (94% of Irish dairy is exported!) that they are happy that they can get rid of some of their unwanted calves. Dutch Van Drie is the main producer of veal meat, and almost runs a monopoly on this trade. However, … [Read more...] about Billionaire Van Drie veal company being brought to court
unweaned calves
Eyes on Animals meets with VanDrie Group about violations during calf transport from Ireland to the Netherlands
On December 14th, 2023, a friendly meeting took place between three representatives of the VanDrie Group and a delegation from Eyes on Animals. The purpose of this conversation was to address the welfare of calves during transport from Ireland to the Netherlands. Eyes on Animals, along with other international animal welfare organizations, has repeatedly observed that … [Read more...] about Eyes on Animals meets with VanDrie Group about violations during calf transport from Ireland to the Netherlands
Dutch Parliament votes to ban import of unweaned calves from Ireland and other countries
All the years of investigative work Eyes on Animals, L214 and Ethical Farming Ireland did together, visiting Irish calf markets and trailing trucks full of unweaned calves from Ireland via France to veal farms in The Netherlands may finally be paying off. The Dutch parliament voted today in favour of putting a stop to these long-distance transports of unweaned calves. … [Read more...] about Dutch Parliament votes to ban import of unweaned calves from Ireland and other countries
VanDrie Group ignores continuous violations in calf imports
In recent years, Eyes on Animals has repeatedly alerted the VanDrie Group to the systematic violations in the importation of Irish calves. During their journey to Dutch calf-fattening farms, young calves are deprived of milk for more than 30 hours, which contravenes the European Transport Regulation. Additionally, we have observed that calves are consistently kicked and … [Read more...] about VanDrie Group ignores continuous violations in calf imports
Calves not given any milk for over 30 hours
Investigations by Eyes on Animals, Ethical Farming Ireland and L214 reveal that young calves, imported from Ireland, are still kept on board of trucks for over 30 hours without giving them any milk. Not feeding unweaned calves for such a long period is in violation of Council Regulation 1/2005 which requires feeding after a maximum of 19 hours. Unweaned calves, … [Read more...] about Calves not given any milk for over 30 hours
Violence against young calves at Pignet control post
Each year tens of thousands of Irish calves, exported to Dutch veal farms, are transported via control posts in Couville and Tollevast, Cherbourg. Here the calves have to be fed and rested for 12 hours, as required by Council Regulation 1/2005. Footage taken in March 2023 at Pignet control post in Couville reveals that the treatment of the calves is horrendous. The … [Read more...] about Violence against young calves at Pignet control post
Trailing of Irish calves to Dutch veal farms reveals violations, abuse and poor living conditions
Last March three international teams (L214, Ethical Farming Ireland and Eyes on Animals) trailed four trucks from Irish assembly centers to veal farms in the Netherlands. The trail included trucks from the Irish companies Hallissey and Hinde and the Dutch company Gebroeders Poll. The investigation reveals the stressful 3-4 day long journey and in-transit … [Read more...] about Trailing of Irish calves to Dutch veal farms reveals violations, abuse and poor living conditions
Second meeting with the Calf Welfare Group to advise Flemish Minister of Animal Welfare
Today Dr. Ronald Rongen, on behalf of Eyes on Animals, participated in the second meeting of the Working Group on Calf Welfare, set up by the Flemish Council for Animal Welfare. The purpose of these meetings it to identify where calf welfare could and needs to be improved, and advise the Flemish Minister for Animals welfare on these things. … [Read more...] about Second meeting with the Calf Welfare Group to advise Flemish Minister of Animal Welfare
No concrete improvements by VanDrie and Pali to end illegal calf-import from Ireland
In March 2022 Eyes on Animals (EonA) met with two big importers of unweaned Irish calves (2-3 weeks old): VanDrie Group and Pali Group. EonA initiated this meeting as the import of unweaned calves from Ireland involves serious violations of the Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005. The feeding intervals for calves on this route are not respected, meaning that calves (at this … [Read more...] about No concrete improvements by VanDrie and Pali to end illegal calf-import from Ireland
Eyes on Animals member of Calf Welfare Group to advise Flemish Minister of Animal Welfare
In 2023, the Flemish Council for Animal Welfare set up a working group to improve the welfare of calves. The working group will, among other things, advise the Flemish minister for animal welfare. The aim is to identify animal welfare bottlenecks in calf farming and to provide advice for improvement. Eyes on Animals has been asked to participate in the working group. This … [Read more...] about Eyes on Animals member of Calf Welfare Group to advise Flemish Minister of Animal Welfare
