The Netherlands is the biggest exporter of meat in the EU, with exports accounting for 60% of total domestic meat production, according to new figures from national statistics agency CBS.

In total, the Netherlands exported meat to the value of €8.8bn last year, of which 85% was due to domestic livestock farms and 15% due to re-exports. The total is down some €500m on 2019.

The Netherlands tops the EU ranking in terms of beef and veal, is second to Poland in terms of poultry experts and fourth for pork, behind Spain, Germany and Denmark, the CBS said.

The most important destinations were Germany, Britain and China, where pork was the dominant product.

The CBS says the meat sector in the Netherlands is good for almost 100,000 full-time jobs and 1.1% of GDP.

However, there is mounting political pressure for change and the Liberal democratic party D66 has suggested that the volume of livestock kept on Dutch farms should be halved. Meat exports have risen 150% over the past 20 years and livestock farming is considered to be a major source of nitrogen-based pollution.

Animal welfare

Earlier this month, the Senate passed new animal welfare legislation which some say could put an end to intensive livestock farming.

The new law, which was initiated by the pro-animal Partij voor de Dieren and will come into effect in 2023, stipulates that animals can no longer suffer pain or discomfort when kept in cages or stables, and must be able to display natural behaviour.

Agriculture minister Carola Schouten earlier called the new rules ‘unworkable’.