Ban on goat breeding

On 7 July 2017, the province of Noord-Brabant imposed a ban on goat breeding due to possible health risks for local residents. Gelderland province followed over one month after this with its own local goat stop. Goat bans have been implemented across several provinces in the meantime. The provincial ban put an end to the expansion of existing goat farms, the establishment of new goat farms in that province, and the conversion of holdings into goat farms. Licences granted before the goat stop are not being revoked. As a result, the dairy goat herd has still increased further since 2017.

As of 1 January 2013, intensive livestock holdings in the Netherlands must adhere to a nationwide Decree on low emission housing systems. The decree states maximum levels of ammonia emission. With its Action Plan on ammonia emission reduction at livestock farms, the Dutch government implemented a policy of tolerance under the said Decree on low emission housing systems. Those holdings intending to convert in the long term could avail of a buy-out scheme until 1 January 2020 in order to achieve compliance. Pig farmers participating in the buy-out scheme to reduce ammonia emissions did not have to convert their pig stalls under the Decree on low emission housing systems. Nevertheless, they had to achieve an equally large emission reduction compared to when they had adopted a low emission housing system as from 1 January 2013, using different measures. This scheme allowed those farmers who intended to cease production within a foreseeable time to continue for several more years. Such farmers were unwilling to make any more large investments in their holdings. Farmers willing to cease production could also register for the Subsidy Scheme for the Remediation of Pig Farms (SRV). The SRV was originally designed for pig farms causing odour nuisance in concentration areas. Pig farmers within these areas who stopped breeding permanently were eligible for this subsidy.

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