No stricter rules for pets in new law

Agriculture Minister Carola Schouten wants to exclude companion animals from the rules of the new animal law, in which pets may no longer be kept in a pen or cage. She will come up with a new bill after the summer.

At the beginning of June, an amendment to the law was passed stating that pets can no longer be kept in a pen or cage. Chickens, cows and pigs in stables must also be able to display natural behaviour. Schouten now wants to exclude companion animals from the new rules and will provide more information about the new bill after the summer, according to Algemeen Dagblad (AD).

The Party for the Animals introduced the amendment at the time and Leonie Vestering, Member of Parliament on behalf of the Party for the Animals, says he is fine with the minister coming up with a proposal. "When submitting my amendment, I have always talked about the systematic suffering of animals in livestock systems, not pets."

Vestering wants Minister Schouten to speed up the elaboration of the new rules for livestock farming. "The new law will take effect on January 1, 2023, so it is important that livestock farmers receive clarity quickly." Vestering believes it is up to animal behavior experts to determine what the natural behavior of pigs or cows is.

Chanti Oussoren

Editor at Boerenbusiness who studies the dairy, pig (meat) and feed markets.

c.oussoren@boerenbusiness. Nl

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