The Dutch Society for the Protection of Animals (Dierenbescherming) claims that the welfare of animals with the Beter Leven label is guaranteed throughout the production chain. However, this is far from the truth.

Abuse during transport is inevitable

In August 2024, Ongehoord filmed pigs being loaded at the Albers mega-farm for transport to the slaughterhouse. The animals were systematically subjected to electric shocks and beaten with firecrackers. The use of electro-shock devices and other forms of abuse, such as hitting or kicking, is prohibited by law and under the Beter Leven quality mark. However, Ongehoord has consistently shown that transporting (Beter Leven) animals to slaughterhouses cannot occur without violence. In December 2022, Ongehoord released footage of Beter Leven pigs receiving electric shocks or being beaten and kicked during their final days. At the Martin Houben mega-farm, pigs were transported using electric shocks. At Annechien ten Have's mega-stable, pigs were struck by hand and with plastic firecrackers, and heavy driving boards were also used to hit the pigs. ^[18] Pigs encounter stressful situations during loading and unloading, including unfamiliar companions and people, new surroundings, loud noises, and slippery surfaces on loading ramps and trucks. Pigs naturally take their time to explore new environments carefully. However, in the industry, there is no time for this, and the animals must be moved as quickly as possible. As a result, violence during loading and unloading becomes unavoidable.

Inspection documents show failure of measures

In January 2020, Ongehoord revealed that pigs were routinely beaten with firecrackers and crowding boards upon their arrival at the Beter Leven Westfort slaughterhouse. The Animal Protection Association announced it would implement measures such as increased inspections, enhanced training for staff, and improved stable layouts. ^[19] Westfort itself asserted that it could eliminate the violence against animals by prohibiting firecrackers. From that point on, the pigs would be guided by waving flags. ^[20] Inspection reports from 2022 and 2023, which Ongehoord obtained from the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA), indicate that the violence against animals has persisted. Instead of using flags, the flagpoles have been employed to strike pigs. Other abuses documented by Ongehoord at Westfort also remain unresolved. Issues with the stunning equipment continued to arise consistently in 2022 and 2023. Repeated malfunctions with the electric stunning rods forced pigs to endure multiple painful electric shocks. In 2023, NVWA inspectors made nearly daily observations regarding the mixing of groups of pigs upon their arrival at the slaughterhouse. Mixing pigs in waiting areas leads to stress and unrest and has been deemed a violation by the NVWA since 2023. ^[21] A prohibition on mixing groups of pigs was already included in the criteria for the Beter Leven quality mark in 2018. ^[23]