For the loading, transport and unloading of livestock and poultry to slaughterhouses at high temperatures, a heat plan is put into effect. The Netherlands uses three temperature gradations. The Belgian plan works with colour codes, which corresponds to the colour codes of the Belgian meteorological institute. Each colour provides a range of measures the operators must comply with when the welfare of the animals is endangered by extreme weather conditions. The measures concern, among other things, the number of animals transported per truck, access to cooling facilities and the planning and times at which animals are transported.
Societal pressure The political and social pressure to properly organise the transport of poultry during heat is also significant in the Netherlands. The Netherlands has a national heat protocol for livestock which the poultry sector fully cooperates with, but at the same time has refused to sign it so far. According to chairman Gert Jan Oplaat, Association of the Dutch Poultry Processing Industry Nepluvi, the sector has not signed the heat protocol, because the national food and consumer product safety authority, NVWA, does not guarantee the
possibility of slaughtering at night. “The NVWA only says it will do its best, but gives no guarantees. We want to slaughter at night during periods of extreme heat, because it is the most effective measure for securing the welfare of the chickens during transport.” In the heat protocol, livestock transporters have made agreements about driving and delivery times during days of extreme temperatures. “Despite the fact that we have not signed the heat protocol, slaughterhouses and transporters do everything they can to guarantee the welfare of the animals during heat periods. For example, we work in the early hours of the morning as much as possible and slaughterhouses set up fans for the waiting chickens or provide shelter,” explains Oplaat.
Positive effects The emotions in Dutch politics and the social attention for the matter are considerable. “Sometimes the nuance is lacking, and the problem is approached from a vegan perspective. While the sector has the same interest at heart. We don’t want animals to die during transport. This only costs money and generates negative attention. Moreover, we want
▶ HEAT STRESS | MAY 2021 7
On top of heat protocols some transporters come up with additional tools to prevent heat stress.
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