Twenty years after the FMD crisis: ‘Little has been learned from then’

“For example, in the event of an outbreak of FMD, animals on farms in the vicinity are given a ‘vaccination for life’. This means that these vaccinated animals can live and not be killed prematurely. Only animals from infected and highly suspected farms. will be killed. “

Killing animals should be avoided as much as possible, the spokesman said. “After all, it concerns live animals, which are part of companies, families, which they take care of every day.”

Very sad

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality, actions were taken in 2001 in a way that was “considered necessary at that time” to prevent the virus from spreading. “These measures have had a tremendous impact on affected livestock farmers, their families and communities. It is very sad that many animals have been killed.”

Another adjustment that has been made since the 2001 outbreak is that vaccinated animals no longer need to be killed. “Those animals will then have to be consumed later in the region,” explains livestock farmer Wim van Eek. “But I think that will never happen, because the meat will then be labeled. And everyone in the supermarket who sees that, leaves the grafted meat and chooses something that has not been grafted by feeling. And that while that is not unhealthier.”

But according to him that is the reality. “So then we have no choice but to clear it. That will still happen. And that still feels bitter, even after twenty years.”

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