Schouten: 'A better picture of the scale of cattle fraud'

The investigation into possible tampering with the registration of cattle is progressing. The Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (LNV), the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) and the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO.nl) now have a better idea of ​​the extent of the fraud. Minister Carola Schouten (LNV) announced this in a letter to the House of Representatives.

The NVWA and RVO.nl have carried out further analyzes and have thus obtained a clearer picture of which companies are actually suspected of fraud. For this, information is used from other authorities and administrations. Schouten writes: "These 'cross checks' create a clearer picture of which companies are suspected. More inspections are also being carried out by the NVWA." Schouten expects to be able to give an interim score next week.

The NVWA and RVO.nl report possible irregularities at approximately 7.700 dairy farms, which could clearly indicate fraud with the registration of cattle in 2017.

As soon as possible in order
Schouten further emphasizes that the aim is to get the Identification & Registration System (I&R) in order as quickly as possible, and to prevent fraudsters from obscuring evidence by removing the cattle in question. The Monitor NVWA and RVO.nl therefore actively monitor the changes in the I&R registration of suspicious companies.

Schouten calls on dairy farmers to report to RVO.nl if the registration details are incorrect. One dairy farmer has now reported to the LTO Nederland Confidential Office. 

Locked
The 45 companies that the NVWA last week has locked, will soon receive a letter stating how they can get their administration back in order. Once this has happened, the NVWA will lift the blockade.

Schouten further mentions that they sector and industry associations has called on them to tell their supporters that fraud is unacceptable.

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