'No sector is as transparent as the pig sector'

The abuses within Dutch slaughterhouses suggested by the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) do not take place at Vion. For example, Francis Kint, CEO at Vion, assures on BNR Nieuwsradio.

Kint also states that pork is a price-driven, international commodity, originating from a very transparent sector. According to the CEO, there is currently an important social debate about the theme of animal welfare within slaughterhouses. In order to guarantee animal welfare, infrastructure, personnel and supervision are the 3 most important principles, according to Kint.

By infrastructure he refers to modern stable space and a thorough slaughter line. Supervision within Vion is done by means of cameras, audits and objective observation by the NVWA, among other things.

Care for 100 million consumers
In addition to animal welfare, there are more social themes at play. According to Kint, food safety is at the top of Vion's list of priorities, followed by animal welfare and transparency. "Every day 100 million consumers eat meat products produced by Vion," Kint describes Vion's responsibility. That is why, for example, the results of the audits are made public.

Price transparency unique
Vion is also transparent towards pig farmers. Kint is referring to the pig price that Vion publishes every week. "The pig supply chain is the only industry I know where purchase prices are as transparent as here." Incidentally, according to Kint, Vion is not a price setter in the sector. "The pig price is determined in Northwest Europe and we are one of the players there."  

In 5 years, Vion has worn out 4 board chairmen. Kint has been in his position for 2 years now. According to Kint, when he took office, he did not find a company that was in bad shape. According to Kint, the black figures that Vion has been writing again for 2 years are partly due to demand from China. "Of the total Chinese imports of pork, 8% comes from Vion," according to Kint, who calculates the strong position of the slaughterhouse in Asia.

Meat is a commodity                                                                                   
Kint sees parallels in the meat sector with the fruit and vegetable sector, where he was active in the past. Both sectors produce interchangeable commodities, making them ''fighting industries''. The difference must be made in customer contacts, wherever in the world. According to Kint, Vion has no reputation to defend from meat brands. Although Vion does feel a responsibility for the reputation of meat brands further up the chain. This is because the slaughterhouse supplies the raw materials.

Wouter Job

Wouter Baan is editor-in-chief of Boerenbusiness. He also focuses on dairy, pig and meat markets. He also follows (business) developments within agribusiness and interviews CEOs and policymakers.

w.baan@boerenbusiness. Nl

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