Undercover footage taken at two Belgian cattle farms has revealed mistreatment of calves who are kicked, beaten, pulled by the tail and ears and even tortured with banned electric shock weapons.
Dutch animal rights organisation Ongehoord placed hidden cameras at De Kempense 'export stables' in Merksplas in the province of Antwerp and at the veal producer Vanlommel nearby the Flemish town of Tielt-Winge.
Footage shows that animal welfare laws were repeatedly breached at both locations. "Never before have such images come out. It is claimed that animals are treated with respect and are calmly led into wagons, but the complete opposite seems to be the case," the NGO said.
The loading and unloading process is stressful for cows, according to Ongehood, meaning they need to be calmy ushered in. Instead, they are often dragged or hit with sticks to guide them forward.
Calves pulled and beaten
Vanlommel claims on its website that it makes various efforts to ensure animal welfare is "maximised," for example by restricting the distance between the stables and the slaughterhouse. It also noted that veterinarians "visit regularly to verify the condition of the animals".
However, in its so-called "reception centres" where calves are taken before further transport, the animals are mistreated with electric shock weapons and are kicked and beaten. Calves that cannot stand independently are pulled by their tails and ears by Vanlommel's staff.
Hitting, kicking and pulling the ears or tail of animals is prohibited by law. The use of electric cattle prods is only allowed on adult cattle, and then only on the muscles of the hind legs.
Screenshot of video footage at De Kempense Exportstal shows a calf being kicked. Credit: Ongehoord
Johan Heylen, commercial director at Vanlommel, argued that it is not so clear that electric shock weapons are being used on cattle. "I am not sure about that based on these images," he told De Morgen. "We will investigate this internally, identify and sanction those involved."
At the De Kempense export stable – which has been a lucrative business for the owner – two-week-old calves are beaten with sticks and kicked. "Calves have a good memory and remember for at least a week by whom they have been badly treated. They will try to avoid this person," the NGO said.
Erik Van der Walle of the stable recognised that heavy-handedness was being used in the footage and that he "was not proud" of this. "But we love our calves and do everything the best we can."
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According to Flemish animal welfare minister Ben Weyts's cabinet, no sanctions will be imposed despite multiple violations being uncovered: "For that, we have to establish violations ourselves."
Yet Ongehoord stressed that no livestock farmer is going to engage in mistreatment if an inspector is watching: "We want to show honestly how things work in the sector. Not because we want to portray those involved as inhumane. This is just what you get in a system where you have to transport animals against their will and under time pressure."
