EU Member States Stand Behind Mink Farmers in the Netherlands

Nederasselt: Four member states of the European Union (France, Spain, Finland, and Greece) have made a formal protest to the European Commission concerning the intention of minister L.J. Brinkhorst to ban mink farming in the Netherlands on moral grounds. The protests result in an automatic delay.

Only a couple of months ago minister Brinkhorst announced a proposed ban on mink farming. In the near future the minister will offer the Second Chamber a proposal for new legislation prohibiting the breeding of mink for the sole purpose of their fur. This is, according to the four EU member states, in conflict with European legislation.

Also Denmark has contacted the EU to disapprove of the Dutch plans.

According to the member states a ban on mink farming on moral grounds is in conflict with the desired European harmonization of animal welfare regulations. It will even be counterproductive to this Brussels policy, as the Dutch production will be transferred to other EU countries. The Netherlands are, after Denmark, the second largest mink producer in Europe. Nowhere in the world do mink enjoy a higher standard of living than in the Netherlands.

The protesting countries refer to the strong appeal of the European Commission to member states to abstain from introducing unilateral measures, given that the EU is in the process of drafting a European fur farming law. Furthermore a ban on mink farming in the Netherlands will seriously harm the internal market. Some member states have informed the Dutch Fur Breeders Association that Dutch fur farmers are more than welcome in their country.

According to the executive officer of the Dutch Fur Breeders Association, Mr. Wim Verhagen, minister Brinkhorst denies his European responsibility in the mink dossier: "The minister likes to profile himself as a true European. In the foot and mouth crisis he constantly hammered on the fact that the Netherlands could not sidestep Europe. He has a lot to explain in Brussels if he now wants to go his own way. His mink policy has nothing to do with animal welfare, given the fact that Dutch fur farmers work with the highest welfare standards in the world. The four protesting EU countries have understood that very well."

The legislative proposal of minister Brinkhorst now awaits the formal advice of the Raad van State (the government's highest advisory body). Then it will have to pass both the Second and First Chamber of the Parliament. The proposal will not be supported by a majority, at least in the First Chamber as currently constituted.

For further information contact: Dutch Fur Breeders Association; Tel: 024-6221980; Fax: 024-6221465; E-mail: info@nfe.nl; www.nfe.nl

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