Discussion of food measure heated during recess

In the middle of the summer holidays, the stalemate about the ministerial feed measure between Minister Carola Schouten and agricultural representatives is hardening. Nevedi (mouthpiece for the feed sector) says that he will continue to supply the feed that is ordered, even if the protein in concentrates has to be reduced after 1 September. 

Nevedi appeals to the Animals Act, which livestock farmers are also bound by. That law prescribes in paragraph 2 that 'Full account is taken of the consequences that rules or decisions have on the intrinsic value of the animal, without prejudice to other legitimate interests. In addition, it is in any case provided that the violation of the integrity or welfare of animals is prevented beyond what is reasonably necessary and that the care that the animals reasonably require is assured.'

After September 1
In a statement, Nevedi writes that it supports the dairy farmers' objections to the feed measure. But the organization is also preparing for the situation in which the feed measure will go ahead. At that time, feed advisors will be expressly instructed that rations must not harm animal health and welfare and that in the period from September 1 to December 31, 2020 must be optimized with due observance of applicable laws and regulations, such as the law mentioned above.

New summary proceedings?
In the meantime, the STAF and Nitrogen Claim foundations have announced that they will initiate new summary proceedings in the coming weeks. In the meantime, there are contacts with the Ministry of Agriculture about the implementation of the agreements made during the summary proceedings of 30 July. The foundations are supported in their approach by all representative parties of the former Agricultural Collective, with the exception of LTO, which has stated that it wishes to continue to seek a political solution.

Political solution LTO
LTO thinks it is a good thing that the feed measure calculations are carried out again, but now that they are traceable and transparent, and that they are made transparent to the sector. Precisely because the ministry itself always guards against feasibility and assurance as the most important foundations of policy. But at the same time, the feed track is primarily a political choice that requires a political solution, says LTO. Not through the courts, but in this way LTO is committed to getting the entire feed measure off the table as such.

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