Dutch animal welfare label to tighten rules after pig farm footage

The Dierenbescherming plans to make the prohibition on hitting and kicking animals explicit in the criteria for its Beter Leven label and add requirements for euthanasia, Dutch news agency ANP reports. ANP says the matters are already covered by animal welfare law.

Extra checks have been introduced at the farms shown in the footage, according to ANP. The report did not say when the revised criteria would take effect or give results from the checks.

Broadcaster BNNVARA says the footage was recorded by research group Ongehoord at four pig farms with one star under the Beter Leven scheme. Its programme BOOS says the recordings show pigs being kicked and hit and animals being killed improperly. The programme says it checked the footage for authenticity and reliability.

The Dierenbescherming introduced the label in 2007. Its star system sets animal welfare requirements above the legal minimum, with more stars indicating higher standards. Independent certification bodies check whether participating farms meet the criteria. The four farms in the footage do not establish how widespread such practices are among certified businesses.

BNNVARA also says the charity has changed its website description of the label: it previously said the scheme guaranteed better living conditions, but now says it ensures animal welfare is checked.

Animal welfare group Wakker Dier welcomed the measures after seeing the footage and called on the Dierenbescherming to address the conduct of the farmers and livestock traders involved.