People who live within a two kilometre radius of a goat farm run a greater risk of contracting pneumonia, resulting in dozens of deaths each year, an investigation by public health institute RIVM has shown.

Some 1.5 million people live close to a goat farm and researchers calculate they are reporting an extra 1,200 to 6,600 cases of pneumonia each year. Some 100 to 600 people end up in hospital and the disease causes 20 to 100 extra deaths.

The findings have reportedly caused tensions between health minister Fleur Agema, who wants measures to protect locals, and farm minister Femke Wiersma, who wants to spare goat farmers from too many controls.

The cabinet has asked the health advisory body Gezondheidsraad to investigate if there is sufficient scientific proof to link bacteria found in the goat pens to the increased incidence of pneumonia, or that other causes may be responsible.

Researchers identified 30 bacteria in the air around goat pens which can cause pneumonia in humans. Of those, 23 were also identified in locals, farm workers and patients.

An 2014 investigation by the RIVM also warned that people living near goat farms had a 30% to 50% greater chance of developing pneumonia.

In 2021, the RIVM again linked goat farms to pneumonia, prompting health organisation GGD to recommend against extending goat farms or putting them near homes, schools and childcare facilities.

While several provinces have halted new goat farms and extensions, the government has so far not taken any extra measures.

The number of goats held on Dutch farms has soared in recent years, from 370,000 in 2009 to 647,000 in 2023, according to CBS figures.