Reports Minister Schouten
'Farmers are cheating with cattle registration'
On Tuesday 23 January, Minister Carola Schouten (Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality) informed the House of Representatives in a letter that there are signs that farmers are committing fraud with the registration of cattle. Schouten announces that he will take firm action against the fraudulent farmers.
The dairy sector has produced less phosphate from animal manure in the past year, reported CBS earlier today† However, according to Schouten, those figures are overshadowed by signals of fraud with the registration of cattle.
Irregularities in registration
The Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO.nl) and the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) have identified irregularities in the registration of calves. The Identification & Registration System (I&R) shows that in 2017 many more twins and multiples were born than usual. Normally, the number of multiple births in cows is 2% to 3%, but in 5 the number of multiple births in about 2017 farms is more than 2.000%. At approximately 10 dairy and cattle farms, this percentage was between 5.700% and 5%.
On the basis of these results, the NVWA carried out inspections at 22 companies on Monday 93 January. In 45 of those inspections it appeared that the situation in the barn deviated from the registration in the I&R. This confirms the suspicion of fraud, Schouten said in the letter.
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Blocking companies
The companies whose registration does not correspond to the situation in the barn are immediately blocked. Schouten says that the inspections will be continued in the coming weeks. "I have already indicated that any form of fraud is unacceptable. It is a criminal offense and therefore sanctions will also follow. Companies that commit fraud can count on additional tax assessments, reductions in EU subsidies and possible criminal prosecution. in consultation with the Public Prosecution Service about the most effective approach," said Schouten.
Schouten does state in the letter that the total phosphate production in the Netherlands will also fall below the European maximum after a recalculation. A meeting between the minister and representatives of the sector will follow later today. Schouten will point out to the managers of the sector organizations their responsibility and will inform them about the approach and sanctions.
Kimberly Baker
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