Khardi J Mukuyu
Livestock farming
The livestock sector provides us with meat, dairy and eggs, as well as wool and leather. The sector generates some €8.6 billion per year in the Netherlands.
The government and the industry aim to optimise animal welfare and sustainability in the sector by 2023. The government is pushing for stricter EU legislation for long-term animal transport.
Intensive livestock farming
Intensive livestock farms are growing. Their sizes differ, from thousands of pigs to tens of thousands of chickens. Increasing automation enables economies of scale. Many farms have automated feeding systems and climate control. Computer systems that recognise individual animals enable farmers to care for their animals more efficiently.
Free-range livestock farming
There is a growing trend among farmers to support welfare-friendly and sustainable production in livestock farming, with milk produced by cows that graze in fields, free-range meat and eggs, and organic produce. Animals are provided with more space, outdoor runs with shelter and daylight in their housing. These measures go beyond legal standards for animal welfare.
Organic livestock farming
Animal welfare is key to organic livestock farming. Organically kept cows spend at least 120 days a year outside. Only sick animals are given antibiotics and animals are fed organic feed where possible. Organic farmers use organic manure and no artificial fertilisers or pesticides on their land.
Animal welfare
In recent years the government has taken measures to improve animal welfare in livestock farming. Examples include the European decision to ban battery cages from 2012, the European obligation for group pig housing per 2013, and the Government’s plans to restrict long-distance animal transport within the EU where possible.
Sustainable livestock farming
The government and farmers aim to optimise the sustainability of livestock farming by 2023, and can count on great support from society. Livestock farming should produce with respect for man, animal and the environment, all over the world.
This ambition from the future vision on livestock farming is supported by a collaboration of farmers, the processing industry, supermarkets and the environmental movement.
Sustainability in livestock farming is promoted through the development of innovative housing for cows, pigs and chickens for instance. New housing facilities for chickens have day and night accommodation, outdoor runs and space and facilities to demonstrate natural behaviour. Other developments are the comfort class housing and the family housing designed for pigs. From 2015 all new housing should be sustainable, with funds and research provided by the government.
Quality marks for organic and free-range produce
The classification of organic or free-range meat and eggs in the Netherlands has the following marks:
Controle Scharrel - Eggs with this symbol are kept in accordance with the Laying Hens Decree. This decree sets out statutory regulations for minimum space and access to outdoor spaces.
Vrije Uitloop - Eggs carrying this symbol meet the standards also set for Controle Scharrel, but the chickens have more space and access to fresh air at all times.
Producer - Meat that carries this logo comes from animals that have access to fresh air and that are usually kept in groups.
Organic logos - There are a number of private logos for organic products; the EKO logo is the best known. All organic logos must comply with European legislation.
European logo for organic produce - This EU logo is compulsory for organic produce.
Milieukeur - This logo classifies how environmentally friendly the farm operates. There is an environmental logo (in Dutch) for pork and one for eggs.
The livestock sector provides us with meat, dairy and eggs, as well as wool and leather. The sector generates some €8.6 billion per year in the Netherlands.
The government and the industry aim to optimise animal welfare and sustainability in the sector by 2023. The government is pushing for stricter EU legislation for long-term animal transport.
Intensive livestock farming
Intensive livestock farms are growing. Their sizes differ, from thousands of pigs to tens of thousands of chickens. Increasing automation enables economies of scale. Many farms have automated feeding systems and climate control. Computer systems that recognise individual animals enable farmers to care for their animals more efficiently.
Free-range livestock farming
There is a growing trend among farmers to support welfare-friendly and sustainable production in livestock farming, with milk produced by cows that graze in fields, free-range meat and eggs, and organic produce. Animals are provided with more space, outdoor runs with shelter and daylight in their housing. These measures go beyond legal standards for animal welfare.
Organic livestock farming
Animal welfare is key to organic livestock farming. Organically kept cows spend at least 120 days a year outside. Only sick animals are given antibiotics and animals are fed organic feed where possible. Organic farmers use organic manure and no artificial fertilisers or pesticides on their land.
Animal welfare
In recent years the government has taken measures to improve animal welfare in livestock farming. Examples include the European decision to ban battery cages from 2012, the European obligation for group pig housing per 2013, and the Government’s plans to restrict long-distance animal transport within the EU where possible.
Sustainable livestock farming
The government and farmers aim to optimise the sustainability of livestock farming by 2023, and can count on great support from society. Livestock farming should produce with respect for man, animal and the environment, all over the world.
This ambition from the future vision on livestock farming is supported by a collaboration of farmers, the processing industry, supermarkets and the environmental movement.
Sustainability in livestock farming is promoted through the development of innovative housing for cows, pigs and chickens for instance. New housing facilities for chickens have day and night accommodation, outdoor runs and space and facilities to demonstrate natural behaviour. Other developments are the comfort class housing and the family housing designed for pigs. From 2015 all new housing should be sustainable, with funds and research provided by the government.
Quality marks for organic and free-range produce
The classification of organic or free-range meat and eggs in the Netherlands has the following marks:
Controle Scharrel - Eggs with this symbol are kept in accordance with the Laying Hens Decree. This decree sets out statutory regulations for minimum space and access to outdoor spaces.
Vrije Uitloop - Eggs carrying this symbol meet the standards also set for Controle Scharrel, but the chickens have more space and access to fresh air at all times.
Producer - Meat that carries this logo comes from animals that have access to fresh air and that are usually kept in groups.
Organic logos - There are a number of private logos for organic products; the EKO logo is the best known. All organic logos must comply with European legislation.
European logo for organic produce - This EU logo is compulsory for organic produce.
Milieukeur - This logo classifies how environmentally friendly the farm operates. There is an environmental logo (in Dutch) for pork and one for eggs.
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