Dutch authority receives more than 2,500 reports of animals in summer heat

The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority received more than 2,500 reports about animals affected by summer heat this year, up from more than 700 in 2025. Most concerned livestock in fields without enough shade or drinking water, or showing signs of heat stress.

The authority said the rise was partly due to animal-welfare organisations urging people to report animals left without shelter. Temperatures exceeded 30°C on 31 days this year, five more days than in 2025.

The NVWA handled most reports by phone, contacting the animal’s owner. Inspectors carried out 200 on-site inspections of livestock in fields and found problems in 90 cases. The situation was almost always resolved by providing shade or water.

Transport and slaughterhouses

Between May and October, inspectors recorded more than 250 incidents at red-meat and poultry slaughterhouses, mostly involving inadequate measures to prevent heat stress. Problems included fans being switched on too late and some lorries being overloaded. Many were dealt with on the spot; serious cases were recorded in reports that could lead to fines.

The NVWA conducted 188 animal-welfare checks on animal transport and found problems in four cases. Carriers complied with the ban on transporting animals when temperatures exceed 35°C. From 1 April next year, the threshold is due to be lowered to 30°C.