Parliament votes for a ban on the import of calves

A majority in the House of Representatives voted yesterday (26 September) in favor of a motion by the Party for the Animals (PvdD) to put an end to the import of calves. There should also be mandatory shelter for animals in meadows.

The number of calves imported from Ireland has increased over the past six months. "The long-distance transports of very young calves are accompanied by serious animal suffering," according to the motion, one of the last by Leonie Vestering, who yesterday left Parliament after nine years. Moreover, according to a majority in the House, the import of calves for the veal calf sector does not fit within circular agriculture or a valuable livestock farming. The House wants the government to come up with a plan to put an end to the import of calves.

A majority in Parliament also supported a motion by Vestering to follow the example of the Flemish government and introduce a national obligation to provide shelter for all pasture animals. According to the law, animals in pastures must already be protected against extreme weather conditions, such as scorching sun, heavy rain or hail.

Punish activists more severely
Parliament also wants more severe punishment for sneaking into stables by activists. Nowadays, stable occupations are usually treated as a 'no trespassing' violation, because stables are not closed as a precaution. As a result, activists often go free or receive only a light fine, according to the VVD motion. Intrusion of samples should be classified as trespassing/burglary, even when there is no forced entry.

The House previously spoke out about a ban on the killing of roosters and now voted in favor of a motion by Sandra Beckerman (SP) that the government must come up with a plan for such a ban before January 1, 2024.

Prohibit non-medically necessary procedures
The House also supported a request from Tjeerd de Groot (D66) for the government to ban all interventions for which there is no immediate medical necessity from 1 January 2025.

Linda van Eekeres

Linda van Eekeres is co-writing editor-in-chief. She mainly focuses on macro-economic developments and the influence of politics on the agricultural sector.

l.vaneekeres@boerenbusiness. Nl

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