Dutch livestock farming faces a growing crisis where policies aimed at reducing nitrogen emissions are inadvertently harming animal health and welfare. The focus on emission figures has led to unintended consequences, with experts observing a decline in animal well-being across various sectors.
In dairy farming, veterinarians are seeing an alarming increase in metabolic diseases, particularly fatty liver, in cows. This issue is linked to the reduction of protein in cow feed, a measure implemented to lower nitrogen emissions. While the average cow may tolerate slight protein reduction, individual animals are suffering, and the health consequences are often overlooked.
Similar problems plague pig farming, where the reliance on less digestible residual streams from the food industry is causing diarrhea and reduced resistance in pigs. This necessitates the use of antibiotics in some cases. Experts emphasize that animal welfare has become a “blind spot” in nitrogen policies, with the government prioritizing emission reduction over animal well-being.
The Dutch government views animal health as a private matter for farmers, limiting intervention to statutory diseases and zoonoses. This leaves company-related conditions, such as lameness in cattle or respiratory issues in pigs, largely unaddressed. The lack of coordination between the sector’s self-regulation through quality systems and the government’s spot checks further exacerbates the problem.
Expensive technological solutions, such as low-emission floors and air scrubbers, have been implemented to reduce nitrogen emissions, but their effectiveness is questionable. In many cases, these innovations have minimal impact on ammonia reduction and can even worsen the climate inside animal housing, leading to respiratory problems and other health issues.
Experts advocate for a more holistic approach that considers animal health, welfare, and landscape alongside nitrogen reduction. They warn that the current fragmented policies, coupled with the government’s focus on technological solutions, are delaying the inevitable need for a reduction in livestock population and a shift toward more sustainable farming practices.
While the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality acknowledges the potential for unintended consequences, they maintain that they strive for a balance between nitrogen reduction and animal welfare. They point to ongoing research and pilot programs aimed at minimizing negative impacts on animal health.