The Netherlands: more than 400 pig farms will receive aid to end production
animal welfare
A total of 502 requests have been received, of which 407 meet the required conditions.
18 June 2020
Last year the Dutch government launched production cessation subsidies with the aim of achieving a more sustainable pig production and reducing health and environmental risks in high-density areas.
At the beginning of the year it was already evident that the number of applications was higher than expected, and the possibility of granting aid to all eligible applications was considered. In the end, a total of 502 applications were received, of which 407 met the required conditions, leading the Ministry of Agriculture to increase the value of the aid from the initial EUR 180 million to EUR 455 million.
Of the 407 farms eligible for aid, 176 are grow/finish farms, 133 breeding farms and 80 farrow-to-finish farms, while the rest fall under the "other" category.
The order in which pig farmers will receive the subsidy for cessation of their activity will depend on the classification of the unpleasant odor score. The aim is to put an end to the nuisance caused by odors from pig farms. This will be achieved when all the animals are gone and the slurry disposed of, which must be done no later than eight months after receiving the aid.
