News release | 03-02-2026 | 11:58
The Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) imposes fines on 6 duck farms and 2 catching companies for rough handling of ducks. The fines range from 1,500 to 4,500 euros per company. The involved catching companies receive the highest fines because they repeatedly violated regulations. The fines were imposed following undercover footage received by the NVWA between August 2024 and January 2025.
The undercover footage was made by animal welfare organization Animal Rights. The NVWA investigated the footage and decided to take enforcement action as a result. The NVWA concludes that ducks suffered unnecessarily due to the rough way they were caught and subsequently placed in crates. For example, some animals were trapped with their heads for extended periods.
Companies responsible
The NVWA also conducted unannounced inspections at duck farms during catching and loading. No violations were found during these inspections.
Inspection Division Head of the NVWA Jan Willem van der Ham says: When we are present, catching and loading is done carefully. But we are often not there. And in the footage, we see that it can be very careless and rough. We hold the involved companies accountable for that. Therefore, we not only impose fines. We have also had serious conversations with the involved companies. Animal welfare must always be guaranteed. Whether we are present or not. That is and remains the responsibility of the companies themselves.
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