Ongehoord has released footage of pigs filmed at Van den Oever VOF, the company owned by Farmers Defense Force leader Mark Van den Oever. The footage, taken in April 2020, shows "Beter Leven" pigs in bare pens with slatted floors under a manure pit. Many animals have red, inflamed eyes and necrotic wounds on their ears.

Eye inflammation

Pigs with red eyes are a sign that the animals are living in an unhealthy barn environment. Dust and high ammonia levels (from sources such as manure pits beneath the barn floor) irritate the mucous membranes of the nose and eyes. This irritation causes inflammation, resulting in pain and itching. Eye infections can become serious and may lead to blindness. A Wageningen University & Research investigation found that ammonia levels in 31% of the examined pig pens were unhealthily high, causing red, irritated eyes in 21.3% of those pens. ^[1]

Ear necrosis

Ear necrosis can be identified by the presence of black spots and bloody wounds on the ears of pigs. This condition results from ear biting. When pigs bite each other's ears, wounds form that can become infected with bacteria. The ears lose their normal blood supply, leading to the death of the ear tips. As the infection worsens, the ear becomes thick and swollen. Ultimately, bacteria can invade deeper into the body through the wounds, harming organs and putting the pig at serious risk of illness and death. ^[2]

Biting

Ear biting is akin to tail biting and other biting behaviors. It is a behavioral disorder mainly triggered by boredom and lack of stimulation. The pigs feel unhappy and display their stress and frustration towards their companions. Additional sources of frustration can include an inadequate barn environment, overcrowding, or issues with the feed composition and feeding methods. ^{[2] [3]}

Biting is a widespread issue in pig farming. Tail biting is reported on 50% of Dutch pig farms, affecting both conventional and organic operations. ^[4] While specific damage figures for ear biting are not available, it is anticipated that they will align with those for tail biting. ^[2]

A commonly used "measure" to limit the damage caused by tail biting is the preventive tail docking of piglets shortly after birth. Tail docking is a painful procedure because the peripheral nerves of newborn piglets are already developed all the way to the tip of the tail. Using a heated device, the tail is cut off without anesthesia, and the wound is cauterized at the same time. However, tail docking is not a true solution. Outbreaks of tail biting also occur in pigs with clipped tail stumps. Furthermore, the issue of tail biting can escalate to ear biting, as shown in the images from Van den Oever VOF. ^[5]

About Van den Oever VOF

Van den Oever VOF, located on Kievitsdwarsweg in Sint Hubert, specializes in fruit growing, Christmas tree cultivation, and pig fattening. The company's pigsty can house 1,000 pigs for meat, all of which have received the Beter Leven quality mark (1 star) from the Dutch Society for the Protection of Animals (Dierenbescherming). Each pen provides "25% more space and toys for the pigs." ^{[6] [7]} The animals arrive at the farm when they are 10 weeks old and are fattened for four months until they reach a slaughter weight of 120 kg. Van den Oever VOF receives European subsidies under the Common Agricultural Policy. In 2018, this amounted to €25,592.43, and in 2019, €29,061.93. FDF officials informed the Financieel Dagblad that the subsidy amounts published by RVO were "incorrect" and that actions would be taken regarding the publication of this information by the Dagblad. ^[10]