A few days ago we received the news that Van Rooi Meat had Cuppers carosserie build larger inspection doors in their temperature-controlled livestock trucks. These inspection-doors are wider than the tiny ones that we unfortunately continue to see used by other transport companies (see photo below). The advantage of larger inspection doors is that officials and the drivers can better see and inspect the animals on board and eventually also access them if necessary. As well, should the fans break down, the larger doors allow more fresh air to get in.
We find this an important improvement in the transport of piglets. Nevertheless, we are still of the opinion that access doors large enough for a driver or veterinarian to get into the truck are a must, particularly when transporting larger animals such as sheep, calves and adult cattle. Should an animal become injured of fall sick and need first-aid or should the animals be on longer journeys and thus need to be fed and watered individually, easy and adequate access to all animals on board is vital.
We would like to compliment Van Rooi for making this decision to at least make the inspection doors wider. We hope that other transport companies still using trucks without any access doors or just with tiny inspection doors, make this change too.
