The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) received 700 reports of heat stress in animals over the past summer. Last year, the NVWA received only 277 reports. As in 2024, most reports were about a lack of shade for animals in the pasture.
The NVWA observes during inspections on hot days that not all animals always have access to shade and/or water. Therefore, the NVWA has raised extra awareness about this issue via social media this year. Various animal welfare organizations have also called for reports to be made when animals in the pasture do not have access to shade and water. This is therefore the main reason for the significant increase in the number of reports. The reports mainly concerned horses, cattle, and sheep.
Over 300 Inspections of Pasture Animals and Transport
A total of over 300 inspections were conducted on animals in the pasture, during transport to slaughterhouses, and for compliance measurement with sheep. This includes both planned inspections and inspections following the 700 reports made. In many cases, the NVWA contacted the holder by phone and the report could be handled over the phone. Also, many reports were insufficiently concrete due to a lack of exact location or visual material. As a result, no follow-up could be given to the report.
All reports are carefully assessed and a risk assessment is made by our inspectors. This has led to visits to 81 locations, of which the situation was not acceptable in 34 cases. In most cases, the animals did not have access to shade and/or drinking water, which can cause animals to show signs of heat stress. In all cases, the situation could be resolved on-site by creating shade or providing drinking water for the animals.
Compliance Measurement of Sheep
In addition to inspections following reports, the NVWA also conducted a compliance measurement this summer among holders with more than 50 sheep. This looked at how the sheep were protected from the heat.
A total of 93 inspections were conducted. In 11 cases, the inspection was not acceptable. In all cases, a solution could be found on-site by the holder to provide shade.
Transport
There were also 135 inspections on animal welfare during transport. As with last year, no heat stress was found in the animals and no ambient temperature of 35 degrees or more was measured. In total, 5 inspections were not acceptable. In most cases, it was due to the inability to show the transport permit.
Findings at Slaughterhouses
A total of 121 findings were recorded at red meat and poultry slaughterhouses by mid-August. In most cases, it was about insufficient prevention of heat stress in the animals. For example, fans were turned on too late and some trucks were overloaded. In many cases, the situation could also be resolved on-site. In serious cases, supervisors wrote a report of findings, which can lead to a fine.
A poultry slaughterhouse had not adequately considered the expected weather conditions. The transport planning and the number of animals to be slaughtered were not sufficiently adjusted to the warm weather conditions, even though the NVWA had warned the company in the days prior. As a result, many animals experienced heat stress, leading to many animals arriving dead at the slaughterhouse. The company has since been under increased supervision, and the NVWA is investigating this incident.
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