The Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) received 117 reports of animals possibly suffering from heat stress at livestock farms, pastures, collection centres and slaughterhouses during the hot days last week. The period covered was 13 to 20 July 2022.
The authority considered and assessed the reports. People who suspected that animals got too hot last week were allowed to call the NVWA directly so that the authority could look into the case. 'Afterwards, it is more difficult to assess a case,' the NVWA said.
'Compliance with heat protocol good'
"If abuses are spotted, we act," Gerard Bakker, NVWA inspector general, informed. The NVWA sees a positive development: last summer, there were still 200 reports during hot days. "Compared to a few years ago, the heat protocol has so far been generally well observed by all parties. Private individuals, livestock farmers and slaughterhouses alike seem to be more aware of the relevant guidelines."
The sectors themselves took various measures, such as creating shaded areas and additional water supplies. Slaughterhouses adjusted working hours so that after 12 noon, there were mostly no more transports. The NVWA noticed that fewer export certificates were applied for and asked the larger slaughterers to take any defects into account in their planning, to avoid queues of trucks at slaughter sites.
Despite all the heat protocols and agreements in the industry, pigs in trucks still appear to be suffering from heat stress. Veterinarian and pig farmer Kees Schepens made a video at Vion Boxtel of pigs in the truck showing symptoms of heat stress. A similar video was then made at Vion in Apeldoorn by Eyes on Animal. "It is shameful that these kinds of images can still be made after all the fuss and that the prevention of heat stress is not yet fully regulated," says an angry and indignant Kees Schepers. "Moreover, pig farmers are once again being blamed, while they no longer want this either."
The Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Belgium and Sweden want to tighten rules on long-distance transport. In the meeting of agriculture ministers, Denmark's agriculture minister presented a proposal from the five countries on Monday, 18 July 2022.
The proposal received broad support, although not every member state agrees with all parts of the proposals.
The proposals include that animal transports should not exceed eight hours. The initiative by the five countries in the so-called Vught group includes having animals slaughtered close to where they were raised.
"I urge a shift towards transporting animal products and genetic material, rather than transporting animals," said minister Henk Staghouwer.
German minister Cem Özdemir says it is no longer acceptable that so many animals are still transported over long distances. "The European way must lead to more animal welfare." A number of member states say their special position must be taken into account, however. Among others, island member states Greece and Ireland pointed this out.
Decision on a request for information on animal welfare violations. See: https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/ministeries/ministerie-van-landbouw-natuur-en-voedselkwaliteit/documenten/woo-besluiten/2022/07/25/besluit-op-wob-woo-verzoek-over-welzijnsschendingen-van-dieren (with 2 annexes).
