Michiel van Deursen new boardmember of the Union
We are pleased and proud to announce that Michiel van Deursen has joined the board of the Animal Labour Union. Van Deursen: "My mission as an investor has always been to get as many animals from supply chains as possible. Animals are not products but individuals, as...
€50,000 for Cow Language project
The Animal Labour Union has received a contribution of €50,000 from the Barth-Misset Fonds (BMF) for the Cow Language in Focus project. Speaking about the awarding of the project, the BMF said: Scientific research by cow language researcher Cornips has so far resulted...
‘How many vacation days does a pig have?’
Summary of the Dutch book: How many vacation days does a pig have? Working animals are animals that work for our food supply, our safety and our entertainment. Animals that make a (financial) contribution to the company for which they work. Working animals used for...
A baby with obesity
In 1957, a chick at slaughter weighed just under a kilo, 900 grams. She was then 56 days old. Thirty years later, this weight is already double at 56 days. And thirty years later, its weight has doubled again. In 60 years, the weight of a 56-day-old chick quadrupled...
Justice for all animals
In a Dutch TV show I was asked about my motivation for writing my book 'How many holidays does a pig have?" Justice, I replied. It's just unfair that we treat dogs differently from pigs. And that it matters to a pig which farmer she is born to. If all working animals...
On empathy in animals and the friendships I saw
During my book launch on 17 April in Amsterdam, I read a piece from my own work. About empathy in animals and the friendships I saw while visiting an organic chicken farm. 'Empathy is a trait that has long been attributed only to humans. Only humans were said to be...
Is the life of a chicken gruesome?
An earlier piece I wrote about the lives of my rescued laying hens stated that they had been kept in horrific ways in their previous lives. I got a nice message from someone who told me that if I like to engage with farmers, I'd better not use these kinds of terms....
Unknown makes unloved
'Madam,' the parcel delivery man calls out, somewhat uncomfortably, 'are they dangerous?' Watching my five chickens run curiously towards the fence to see who enters their territory, I don't understand how anyone can think these critters are dangerous. Their beaks...
What does the cow think of climate measures?
That livestock animals cause problems is not because of their individual behaviour but because of their immense numbers. There are simply too many of them. With technical tricks, as we see in other industries, farmers try to reduce individual emissions per animal....
Communicating with animals
Working closely with Caring Farmers, we are looking at ways to engage working animals. What do they themselves want, what do they consider important and where can we meet their needs? Working animals deserve to be heard. Because: what do working animals themselves...
About Animal Labour Union
The Animal Labour Union represents the animal workers in animal husbandry. Animals that provide a product or service to their employer, who…
Working Animals
Animals that provide (financial) added value for their employer/owner are working animals. Working animals can be found everywhere.
Communication with Animals
Animals can communicate very well. Anyone who lives around animals knows this. They let you know if they are hungry, want to go outside or experience pain.
Legislation and Research
Animals are protected in various places in the law. The Animals Act sets requirements for the way in which different animal species may be kept.