A new report says the system that protects animals in the farming industry in the Netherlands is failing. Farmers, slaughterhouses, the food authority NVWA and the Ministry of Agriculture all take too little responsibility.
The independent commission wrote the report called “Animal Welfare Deserves Better”. It was given to parliament on Tuesday. The commission says animal welfare often comes second to money and production. This happens even when companies follow the rules.
Examples from the report include sick animals who are still sent to the slaughterhouses. Pigs and chickens sometimes get too little food and water. The problems happen on a large scale across the whole chain, from the farm to the slaughterhouse.
State Secretary Silvio Erkens (Agriculture) agrees that the situation must improve. He says the government has already taken little steps, such as new rules for better animal farming, rules for transport in hot weather, and cameras in slaughterhouses. “But more needs to be done,” he said.
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Erkens now plans a special improvement program for the full meat chain, from farm to slaughterhouse. He wants clearer rules, better checks and more responsibility for everyone involved.
He will give more details to parliament in early 2027.
