Suddenly, we read reports in the media that mixing pigs in slaughterhouses is banned. In other words, pigs originating from farmer A are not allowed in the same pen with pigs from farmer B. This happened in response to a broadcast on Nieuwsuur about 'illegal' mixing of pigs in a 'cramped' pen. Questions about this were asked in the Lower House by MP Akerboom (PvdD) on 13 March 2023. In doing so, he said that mixing pigs in slaughterhouses is a violation of Article 2.13(4) of the Decree on keepers of animals, which stipulates that no pigs shall be added to a group of 'weaned pigs' or 'user pigs' once formed. But by keepers of animals is meant livestock farmers (see draft Decree on keepers of animals) and not slaughterhouses. So this is not correct. Yet on 8 June, there is already a decision note from the NVWA that mixing pigs in slaughterhouses is prohibited. But in this decision note, the NVWA suddenly invokes a different article because they made a mistake. Now they suddenly invoke Article 3(1) and (2)(f) of Regulation (EC) No 1099/2009 -on the protection of animals at the time of killing. This is sufficient they say. Because according to recent studies (which ones are NOT mentioned for convenience), mixing pigs from different social groups produces stress that would cause rank battles. Using this argument as a basis, the NVWA has banned mixing pigs at slaughterhouses with immediate effect (June 2023). Unsurprisingly, slaughterhouses were completely caught off guard when this was suddenly enforced. A new ban suddenly conjured out of the top hat of the NVWA i.c.w. PvdD. From 15 August 2024, sanctions will follow for non-compliance.
Minister Adema has yet to answer the questions of the Party for the Animals by then. The letter with the answers will follow at the end of June, in which the minister clearly states that mixing animals at slaughterhouses has been common practice for decades. But the purpose requirement Article 3(1) and (2)(f) of the European Regulation 1099/2009 on the protection of animals at the time of killing which states that the animals must be spared any avoidable form of pain stress or suffering, was neither questioned nor seen as a violation. He said that the legal article in the regulation is a target regulation which can lead to new insights with scientific knowledge and changing social views. In this case, according to Minister Adema, this was an issue. According to Adema, there is now sufficient scientific evidence showing that mixing animals causes (avoidable) pain, stress or suffering. But Adema here refers not to scientific reports, which the NVWA did, but to recent EFSA opinions in 2022. But what these opinions are then and on what scientific basis is again left open.
Both the NVWA and the minister of LNV cannot give a concrete reference of scientific studies or EFSA opinions. In short, the substantiation of the entire ban rattles on all sides.
Indeed, COV spokesman Dé van de Riet says there is in fact no problem with mixing pigs. "We don't see the urgency. It is only a problem when pigs from different farmers are together for a long time, and in the waiting area at a slaughterhouse this is not the case.
Without demonstrable scientific justification, the ban is being pushed through at full speed. Why this rush? Enforcement is normally already carried out in case of unrest in the slaughterhouse waiting area. There is no need for this new ban at all. If there is any unrest, immediate action should be taken long ago. The additional requirement is imposed in the context of animal welfare while there is no demonstrable scientific basis for it and it does not contribute to animal welfare because it was already guaranteed. The only thing this new rule contributes to is extra bureaucracy and burden on the slaughterer to comply with it. Is that the reason for this new ban?
