On 17 June 2025, Lower House member Esther Ouwehand (PvdD) tabled an own-initiative bill aimed at making substantial amendments to the Animals Act and the Economic Offences Act. The aim: to structurally reduce the suffering of animals at slaughter. The proposed measures affect both regular and ritual slaughter and directly affect the operations of slaughterhouses, livestock farmers and meat processors.

Five key measures

The law provides for the following adjustments:

1. Removal of exception to stunning in religious slaughter
   Henceforth, all animals should be compulsorily stunned prior to slaughter - even when slaughtered according to Islamic or Jewish rites.
2. Ban on CO₂ stunning in pigs
   This method, common in industrial abattoirs, is under pressure because of the severe animal suffering it allegedly involves.
3. Ban on electrocution bath in poultry
   This too is an industrial method that has been deemed unnecessarily painful by lawmakers.
4. Ban on transport of (highly) pregnant animals from 40% of gestation onwards
   This requires closer monitoring and written statements in the chain.
5. Ban on unstunned tilting of crates containing chickens, ducks and turkeys
   This operation is particularly common on automated slaughter lines.

Traditional versus industrial: impact differs

Although the law will apply to all slaughterhouses, it is important to recognise that the impact of the proposed measures varies greatly between traditional (artisanal) slaughter and industrial slaughter practices.

Industrial slaughter: major impact

• Farms applying CO₂ stunning (pigs) or electrocution baths (poultry) will have to replace their installations.
• Mechanical tilting of crates containing live poultry shall be prohibited without prior stunning.
• High level of automation and anonymous supply makes checking for pregnant animals more complex.

Traditional/artisanal slaughtering: relatively limited impact

• Manual techniques such as the captive bolt device (beef, sheep, goat) are already common and will continue to be allowed.
• Small-scale farms usually operate without CO₂ or electrocution baths and unload poultry manually.
• Direct relationship with livestock farmers facilitates control of gestation and welfare.

Small and artisanal slaughterhouses can often comply with the new rules with limited adjustments, while the industrial sector faces significant technical, organisational and investment challenges.

Transitional arrangements

The law provides for a number of transition periods:

• 18 months For phasing out ritual slaughter without anaesthesia;
• 3 years For replacing CO₂ and electrocution systems;
• 3 years For adapting mechanical unloading systems for poultry.

Economic crimes

Non-compliance with the new rules will be classified as an economic offence, with corresponding penalties. Legal compliance is therefore essential for all links in the chain - from livestock farmer to slaughterer.

What does this mean in practice?

Industrial slaughterhouses:

• Start researching alternative stunning methods in good time;
• Involve technology suppliers in switching systems;
• Review logistics and traceability for pregnant animals.

Artisanal slaughterers and meat processors:

• Check whether existing practices comply with the new standards;
• Process the new requirements administratively (gestation report, statement).

Social support

Although it is still a bill, there is a real chance that it will be passed (amended or otherwise). Public support for improvements in animal welfare is strong.

Source: https://www.tweedekamer.nl/kamerstukken/wetsvoorstellen/detail?cfg=wetsvoorsteldetails&qry=wetsvoorstel%3A36769#wetgevingsproces