March 31, 2010

Netherlands to start antibiotic-free animal farms

The Netherlands has started a pilot project that aims at total antibiotic-free production at pig and poultry farms, according to Gerda Verburg, the Dutch minister of Agriculture.

This project is developed by the Dutch Innovation Network. The pig farm chain "De Hoeve" and the poultry chains "GPS" and "Lagerweij" are joining the project.

The Dutch Ministry of Agriculture is investing EUR840,000 (US$324,000) in the project and the three chains together contribute EUR290,000 (US$112,000). If the venture turns out to be successful, there will be no antibiotic use in the farms owned by the three chains in the future.