Blockages remain in effect
Calf from 2018 goes free in I&R investigation
As of 2018 May, calves born in 4 will no longer be subject to the business blockades of the Identification and Registration Examination (I&R). This is a direct result of the decision of the Trade and Industry Appeals Tribunal (CBb). However, it remains with an exemption for the calves, because the blockages remain.
On Thursday 3 May assessed the CBb that a total business blockade, and its consequences, are by no means always in proportion to the violation. It is good news for the dairy farmer, but it is no reason for Minister Carola Schouten (Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality) to re-examine the blockades.
The Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) says that there will only be an exemption for calves born in 2018. website of the NVWA it reads: "The judge has ruled that the farm blockade on the company concerned was rightly imposed, but that the calves born after January 1, 2018 may be moved." By making the exemption also apply to the other companies, the NVWA states that the companies are now equated.
NVWA takes a step in the right direction
The fact that there will be an exemption is mainly due to the animal welfare. The NVWA hopes to be able to prevent this from happening. Lawyer Nico Bouwman says: "I am pleased that the NVWA has taken this step in the right direction. Many dairy farms are not equipped to keep calves for a longer period of time, so animal welfare does play a role."
"Yet it is not enough." Bouwman indicates that the blockades should be more limited. "For example, only to the animals that the NVWA has doubts about." This is how it was done at the fattening farms.
Herman van den Pol
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