Slaughterhouse Vitelco has adjusted their restraining box from pneumatics towards hydraulic. This resulted in a significant noise reduction. This is an important step for animal welfare because noise, especially sudden and hissing ones, can cause a lot of stress in cattle. It makes them balk and too scared to enter the box. Loud sporadic noise can also make animals inside … [Read more...] about Less noise in restraining box Vitelco calf slaughterhouse
slaughterhouse design
Wouters slaughterhouse reduces stress in their slaughterhouse
Wouters has made some improvements in their slaughterhouse to reduce stress amongst the cattle. At Wouters cattle are slaughtered for the Halal market. They first have their throats cut and only after are stunned with a captive bolt pistol (to render them unconscious and no longer sensible to pain). In order to easily access the throat to make the cut, the cattle’s heads … [Read more...] about Wouters slaughterhouse reduces stress in their slaughterhouse
Flanders Meat Group slaughterhouse, Zele, BE
Eyes on Animals was invited by the manager of this slaughterhouse to give our opinion about the conditions inside and what we think could be further improved on. Since early 2017 the cattle are all pre-stunned, also for Halal as the local Imams approve it. This is a terrific improvement and we congratulate the Imams and the manager for listening and learning from each … [Read more...] about Flanders Meat Group slaughterhouse, Zele, BE
Eyes on Animals guest speaker at Leuven University Debate on “Non-Stun Ritual Slaughter”, Belgium
Eyes on Animals was asked to give a talk on the topic on non-stun Ritual slaughter. What were our observations in the field, what are the on-going challenges, what is the best way to get people in dialogue to make progress and reduce animal suffering? Other speakers were from Halal slaughterhouses now using pre-stunning, an Islamic Theologian, and Dr. Piet vantemsche who … [Read more...] about Eyes on Animals guest speaker at Leuven University Debate on “Non-Stun Ritual Slaughter”, Belgium
Improvements at cattle slaughterhouse Flanders (BE)
Eyes on Animals visited the Flanders cattle slaughterhouse of Flanders Meat Group in Zele, Belgium, at the invitation of the veterinarian. We encountered some problems that could be improved. The veterinarian himself also had some ideas and so we were able to combine our findings. After our visit he energetically proceeded to put the improvements into place. Some … [Read more...] about Improvements at cattle slaughterhouse Flanders (BE)