Poultry sector dismayed by fipronil ruling

The Dutch poultry sector is very disappointed in the appeal decision by the Court of Appeal in The Hague in the fipronil case. The Court confirmed an earlier court ruling that the State is not responsible for the damage suffered by the poultry farms as a result of the fipronil issue.

The 111 poultry farmers, supported by LTO/NOP and the Dutch Union of Poultry Farmers (NVP), are of the opinion that the State and in particular the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) is liable for the damage caused to poultry farmers as a result of the fipronil crisis. have suffered. In a criminal investigation into the Chickfriend company, which disinfected poultry houses with the illegal substance fipronil, the NVWA intervened only late.

Feeling injustice prevails
The NVWA could have saved a lot of suffering on the poultry farms by acting differently, according to the poultry farmers. However, the Court considers that there there is no question of culpably failing supervision† The sector experiences this as a very big disappointment, the NVP reports in a statement. "The sense of injustice prevails." According to the Court, the NVWA acted lawfully in monitoring the safety of the food.

The NVWA is not there to serve the economic interests of poultry farmers, the Court of Appeal ruled. The poultry farmers themselves are responsible for the quality of the eggs they produce. The egg chain takes its own responsibility, emphasizes the NVP. For example, after 2017, IKB's control was further strengthened and efforts were made to improve coordination with the NVWA. "Among other things, through periodic crisis exercises based on the scenario drawn up by the sector. The sector attaches importance to a properly functioning NVWA. We need each other," said Hennie de Haan, chairman of the Dutch Union of Poultry Farmers.

Eric the Thrush

Eric is a member of the editorial staff of Boerenbusiness. As a descendant of an arable family, farmer's blood flows through Eric's veins. He considers himself a generalist, but with a preference for economics, trends, markets and marketing.

e.delijster@boerenbusiness. Nl

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