The veterinary sector calls for putting the animal at the centre of the transition to sustainable animal husbandry. Veterinarians in practice, science, education and business are offering their knowledge and expertise to this end.
The existing policy focuses on nitrogen reduction and looks mainly at reducing (halving) the livestock population. However, this does not guarantee the good health and welfare of the remaining animals. The KNMvD (professional association of veterinarians) and the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Utrecht University indicate that this is no guarantee of good health and welfare of the remaining animals. They have therefore published a position paper 'Put the animal at the centre of the transition to more sustainable animal husbandry'.
See: https://www.knmvd.nl/dierenartsen-zet-het-dier-centraal-in-de-transitie-naar-een-duurzamere-dierhouderij/?utm_medium=email and https://www.knmvd.nl/app/uploads/2022/10/220919-KNMvD-position-paper-stikstof-def.pdf
Agriculture minister Adema wants to try to apply the EFSA advice on maximum temperatures during animal transport in a policy rule. He will involve the NVWA and relevant sector parties with a view to feasibility and enforceability. He let this be known in response to parliamentary questions by Leonie Vestering of the Party of the Animals.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) issued an opinion on animal welfare during transport in early September. In it, temperature and humidity are considered key factors. The recommendations state that the maximum temperature for respective 30 kg piglets, pigs and sows should not exceed 30, 25 and 22 degrees respectively. Agriculture minister Adema was taken to task via parliamentary questions by PvdD member Vestering on whether he took this advice to heart.
And Adema says he does so wholeheartedly. Indeed, he says the Netherlands is at the forefront of the so-called position paper drawn up with Denmark, Germany, Sweden and Belgium. "There, among other things, we are asking for more space for animals and clearer temperature limits. The European Commission expects to come up with proposals to amend the transport regulation at the end of next year. The safeguarding of animal welfare during transport is regulated at European level through the Transport Regulation. This regulation is directly applicable in the Netherlands and does not contain the temperature limits described above, but more general standards. For the amendment of the transport regulation, the Netherlands is committed together with other named European countries."
See: https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/ministeries/ministerie-van-landbouw-natuur-en-voedselkwaliteit/documenten/kamerstukken/2022/10/11/beantwoording-kamervragen-over-de-maximale-temperatuur-bij-diertransporten and https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/ministeries/ministerie-van-landbouw-natuur-en-voedselkwaliteit/documenten/beleidsnotas/2022/10/11/beslisnota-bij-beantwoording-kamervragen-over-de-maximale-temperatuur-bij-diertransporten
Thanks in part to our efforts, the industry has drawn up a plan to curb the transport and slaughter of very young bucks. By 2025, dairy goat farmers must fatten all their goat kids (100%) to an average age of 5 weeks. In 2023, this must be at least 25% and 2024 at least 50%. Although 5 weeks is still young, goats are more resistant to stress and longer periods without milk at this age. Of course, it is important that these bucks are also well cared for on the dairy goat farm. Using mortality data, this is monitored.
In 2020, Eyes on Animals asked for attention to the welfare of goat lambs via consumer programme Radar, an extensive investigative report and the police. Many lambs (mostly goats, but sometimes goatees) are transported to the slaughterhouse when they are only 7-14 days old. Eyes on Animals inspected these transports. We recorded how vulnerable these lambs are; they are still wobbly on their feet and often collapse on the tailgate. The transports take a long time because lambs (and milked dairy goats) have to be collected from several farms. At the slaughterhouse, lambs are often weakened due to the long transport and waiting times without milk. We also noted problems with stunning and bleeding.
Earlier, our inspection images resulted in a plan of action to reduce goat mortality. Registration requirements regarding the birth of lambs were also tightened (for better monitoring of mortality) and the waiting time for medication was relaxed so that bucks can be more easily treated in case of illness. See: https://www.nieuweoogst.nl/nieuws/2022/09/09/geitensector-pakt-door-bij-slacht-jonge-geitenbokken
Of the 453 reports on heat stress, more than 40 per cent (189) were presented for NVWA inspection. In 98 cases, inspectors went on site to assess the situation. According to NVWA, not all reports were "useful or led to the establishment of a violation. For example, because exact location data were missing or because the nature and severity could not be sufficiently established."
In 12 cases, the inspector found a violation and issued a written warning. In all cases, animals had insufficient shelter. In addition, there were 15 cases of a near violation and the situation could be rectified immediately.
During the heat periods, the NVWA also carried out 200 checks on the transport and supply of animals at slaughterhouses based on the transport regulation. With expected outside temperatures above 33 degrees, animals were allowed to be supplied earlier to slaughterhouses at relatively lower temperatures. It was also possible to transport fewer animals per wagon and the ventilation of the wagon as well as in the stalls of the slaughterhouse had to be in order. NVWA: "Of the 200 transport inspections carried out, four shortcomings were found, some of which were heat-related. This led to a notice on the spot, two written warnings for administrative violations and a written warning for several non-working fans. In the process, no animal welfare impairment was found."
There were media reports last summer about heat stress in pigs. Footage from animal rights organisation Eyes on Animals showed that animal welfare while waiting for transport to a slaughterhouse was not up to scratch. The NVWA was unable to make the same observation during its inspections at the slaughterhouse in question. NVWA therefore requested, among other things, the raw images and data to investigate whether enforcement could still be carried out on the basis of these. The NVWA hereby enforces based on European Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 (the Transport Regulation) and the national animal welfare rules from the Animals Act.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recommends holding chickens upright with hands around the wings when catching and loading, rather than upside down on the legs. This is stated in the recently published advisory report to the European Commission. They write that catching and loading chickens by the legs causes more stress and risk of injuries, such as dislocations, bruises and fractures in the legs and wings.
EFSA also confirms that chickens have no diaphragm. When they are held upside down, the intestines press on the lungs and heart, reducing their function. As a result, chickens experience (breathing) stress and flutter in an attempt to get upright. EFSA also states that the risks of injury in laying hens are high because of their fragile bone structure and the housing system they are in (high risk of collisions and escape).
EFSA also pays attention to the speed and roughness with which trapping is often carried out. Workers who have to work under extreme time pressure, do not get enough breaks and/or are not adequately trained on animal welfare and behaviour are a major cause of injuries. Training and good working conditions are therefore crucial. See report: https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.2903/j.efsa.2022.7441
Minister Adema (LNV) responds to LTO's report of possible increased ammonia emissions from 1-star Better Life Chicken. The Standing Committee for Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality in the Lower House had asked for a response.
Minister Adema (LNV) answers questions about illegally offering a pony as a prize in a lottery at a horse and pony market. MP Wassenberg (PvdD) asked these questions. See:
