Calves shipped from Ireland go 50 hours without milk, NVWA says
The Dutch food and product safety authority NVWA is taking enforcement action against four Irish livestock transporters over the treatment...
The Dutch food safety authority NVWA has imposed penalties on four Irish transporters following a violation of EU animal welfare rules during transportation of young calves. The calves are deprived of water for nearly 50 hours, which is against the regulations. These young bulls, aged under two months, are transported via ferry from Ireland to France, and then to the Netherlands.
EU rules stipulate that animals must be fed during transport, typically every 12 hours, but Irish authorities have not acted on this. The trucks lack suitable systems for milk feeding, and the NVWA claims that calves of this age need assistance to drink. The Dutch veal sector had planned to halt Irish imports by 2026 but this action was found ongoing by a recent NOS investigation.
Animal welfare groups Eyes on Animals and Dier&Recht requested this enforcement. The NVWA had initially been unable to take action due to the violations often occurring at sea, beyond Dutch jurisdiction.
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