Extreme temperatures during transportation are resulting in the premature death of chickens travelling from the Netherlands to Belgian abattoirs, according to statistics from ‘Animal Rights’ association.
Due to weather conditions, several chickens are not surviving the journey from the Netherlands to Belgium, arriving at the Belgian abattoirs dead, said the association.
Furthermore, many of the chickens were deemed unfit for use by the abattoirs, due to their poor health (largely respiratory issues) upon arrival. Extreme temperatures are the primary cause of death and health problems, according to data gathered by the Animal Rights association.
On the 22nd June 2016, 554 out of 17,920 chickens (3%) died on their journey from Grashoek in Limburg, to Schilderman’s abattoir in Bree due to temperatures over 30 degrees, said the group. Similarly, on 29th July 2016, 2% of chickens died on their journey from Kessel in Limburg, to Artislach’s abattoir at Dendermonde due to equally high temperatures.
Cold temperatures, however, are also damaging for the birds, said the association. In a 2015 journey between Deurne and Alst, in which temperatures hit 2 degrees, 367 out of 8,112 chickens died (4.5%) and 39 chickens were refused by the abattoir due to their illnesses.
Madeleine Fletcher
The Brussels Times
