Ban on physical interventions involving animals
In the Netherlands physical interventions on animals (to remove or damage parts of an animal) are not allowed. For example, removing ears or a tail. Only veterinarians may perform physical interventions on animals if it is (medically) necessary for the animal’s health and wellbeing.
Which interventions are banned?
In general physical interventions (in Dutch) on animals are not allowed. For example, you are not allowed to:
- dock or crop the tails and ears of animals (in Dutch)
- remove parts of a bird’s wings (wing clipping)
- trim beaks of chickens and turkeys
- remove the back claw/spur of roosters and turkeys
- administer medicines that have not been approved
Which interventions are permitted?
Sometimes physical interventions on an animal are permitted (in Dutch), for instance:
- ear tagging of cattle, pigs, sheep, and goats in order to identify animals
- dehorning of dairy goats and cattle
- animal sterilisation
- interventions prescribed by a veterinarian.
- administering medicines
The intervention may not unnecessarily hurt or harm the animal. The animal should not be permanently hindered by the intervention.
Who can perform necessary interventions?
The following specialists are allowed to perform interventions:
- veterinarians.
- paraveterinary workers: veterinarian assistants, animal physiotherapists, embryo transfer technicians
- in some cases livestock farmers are allowed to perform an intervention, so that they can, for instance, chip or tag their cattle for identification.
Measures in case of prohibited interventions
The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) checks whether animals are treated properly. The NVWA also carries out inspections and takes action against offenders to ensure animal welfare. If, during an inspection, it appears that banned interventions have been performed on an animal, the NVWA reports this to the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO). RVO can then take measures, for example withhold a subsidy or part of it.