On 4 January, inspectors from the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) carried out an inspection at a cattle farm in the middle of the country. In the process, they found more than 70 neglected cattle, which were immediately taken into custody. The farm was already under enhanced supervision. So how this could have happened is more than strange to say the least. Questions were therefore asked in the Lower House. An official report has been drawn up against the cattle farmer and administrative and criminal proceedings are ongoing.
Several cattle, bulls and calves lacked clean and dry bedding and were severely emaciated. They did not have access to good quality feed. Several water troughs were leaking, making the feed very wet. Animals in the pasture could hurt and injure themselves on sharp and protruding parts (such as agricultural machinery, steel trusses and building materials). NVWA inspectors also found 2 dead cattle on the farm.
Source: NVWA and parliamentary papers
