Animal welfare

VION Food Group applies procedures and guidelines for all employees who handle animals. VION Food Netherlands staff who take delivery of the animals have passed a special animal welfare course. The same applies also to the hauliers who deliver the animals. The course has been developed in conjunction with SVO, a training institute for the food sector.
The course comprises knowledge of Dutch legislation on animal welfare and the methods for loading and unloading animals. The course also covers haulage, driving technique, and driving and transport times.

British customers have additional requirements in terms of animal welfare. In order to be able to supply meat to British supermarkets, abattoirs require to have staff in attendance who have had special training to qualify as Animal Welfare Officers. This guarantees that livestock delivery and the unloading, stabling, herding and stunning of the pigs takes place in an animal-friendly way.