Today, the committee on "welfare improvement in pig slaughter” met for the first time. The committee includes: Two scientific experts on stunning, a veterinarian specializing in pigs and their behavior, a technical expert on slaughter lines, an animal welfare manager from a large pig slaughterhouse and Eyes on Animals. Reasons for the committee Many pigs in … [Read more...] about First meeting of committee “welfare improvement at pig slaughter”
Our inspections
Inspection of pig trucks during cold weather
Eyes on Animals visited a big Dutch slaughterhouse to observe if drivers delivering the pigs took precautions to protect the pigs from the cold weather (1-2 degrees) today. We observed several drivers that had left almost all of the side shutters of their truck open when they arrived. This of course is far too cold for the pigs, especially with the wind chill when … [Read more...] about Inspection of pig trucks during cold weather
Successful conference for dairy farmers about new “calf by the cow” concept
Great news ! All of our efforts over the past 6 years at stimulating a real change within the dairy industry are starting to pay off. We really wanted the dairy industry to take more responsibility and show concern for the fate and welfare of the unwanted calves born on dairy farms ! Soon there will be a separate label on dairy products coming from Dutch farms that keep … [Read more...] about Successful conference for dairy farmers about new “calf by the cow” concept
Visit of Zonvarken pig farm in De Heurne, NL
Today we visited the new pig barn built for the new concept "Zonvarkens" (sun pigs). This concept was developed by a group of pig farmers. The idea is to raise pigs whereby they have a good quality of life and can express their natural behaviour. They have room to move, access to the outdoors and fresh air, bedding to build nests and forage in, the sows will have a large … [Read more...] about Visit of Zonvarken pig farm in De Heurne, NL
Visiting assembly centers to advise on the handling of sick and injured pigs
Today Eyes on Animals visited several assembly centers to advise them on the humane killing of sick and injured pigs that are prohibited from further transport. From earlier visits we concluded that emergency killing is not always performed correctly. For example electric tongs or captive bolt pistols are not positioned correctly on the head or the wrong cartridges are … [Read more...] about Visiting assembly centers to advise on the handling of sick and injured pigs