The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has advised to carry and load birds upright, instead of inverted by their legs. This is one of the recommendations EFSA recently published in their latest report to the European Commission. They write “During loading, inversion and carrying birds by the legs increases the severity of handling stress and the risk of injuries … [Read more...] about EFSA recommends upright catching for birds
animal welfare improvements
Online meeting with Temple Grandin at Gosschalk slaughterhouse in Epe (NL)
Today we had an online meeting with a team from Gosschalk, the developers of the ‘Argus VCA camera-system’ and Dr. Temple Grandin. We wanted Temple Grandin’s recommendations on the handling and design in Gosschalk, where both cattle and pigs are slaughtered, to see if stress and fear could be further reduced. Temple Grandin is a well-known ethologist and expert on how to … [Read more...] about Online meeting with Temple Grandin at Gosschalk slaughterhouse in Epe (NL)
Visit of poultry Plukon slaughterhouse in Goor (NL)
Today we visited Plukon poultry slaughterhouse in Goor, where 175,000 broilers are slaughtered per day. The broilers stay in their transport containers from the moment of arrival until their death; they do not have to be taken out of the containers manually or mechanically (tilting) when still alive. In many slaughterhouses this still happens, causing a lot of fear and … [Read more...] about Visit of poultry Plukon slaughterhouse in Goor (NL)
Meeting with Ministry, VIN and Brandt & Levie about pig castration
Today Eyes on Animals met with representatives from the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, sausage company Brandt & Levie, Varkens in Nood (Pigs in Peril) and organic pig farmer Kees Scheepens to discuss how we can help the organic pig sector find a path towards a future where castration is phased out. Kees Scheepens and one other Dutch organic pig farmer, Gideon … [Read more...] about Meeting with Ministry, VIN and Brandt & Levie about pig castration
Norwegian chicken producer Norsk Kyling uses upright catching method
The Norwegian chicken producer Norsk Kyling has been encouraging their poultry farmers (135 in total) and catching companies to catch their broilers using the upright method, instead of grabbing them by the legs. In barns where the containers can be placed close to the broilers with a forklift, the upright method is usually applied. In barns where the containers are … [Read more...] about Norwegian chicken producer Norsk Kyling uses upright catching method