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Animal health
The Dutch government has laid down the requirements for the keeping of animals in the Gezondheids- en Welzijnswet voor Dieren (Dutch Animal Health and Welfare Act). The Act is the basis for keeping animals healthily and combating contagious animal diseases. The requirements apply to animal hygiene, health, safety, welfare, environment and transport.
Veterinary surgeons
Cattle and pig farmers are coached and assisted by veterinary surgeons who regularly visit the farms, check how things are going, and assess the animals' health. Veterinary surgeons and pig and beef cattle farmers record the examinations and/or treatments performed at the farm so that the entire medical history of the animals is known.Certified specialistsThe veterinary surgeons are certified according to the Goede Veterinaire Praktijkuitoefening code (GVP - Dutch Good Veterinary Practice code). They are approved as a result of extensive audits by the independent certifying organisation, Certiked. These audits are repeated annually. If necessary, veterinary surgeons can call on the experts at the Gezondheidsdienst voor Dieren (Dutch Animal Health Department) and the veterinary medicine facility at Utrecht University.
Measures
The farms that supply to VION Food Netherlands are responsible for preventing animal diseases. The Dutch Government has taken measures to this effect, and all beef cattle and pig farmers, suppliers, buyers and carriers must comply with these measures.
A sound and safe product begins with healthy livestock.
VION Food Group promotes measures that may improve animal health. VION is committed to the ethically responsible treatment of animals, based on scientifically underpinned guidelines. This is also expected of the livestock farmers, dealers and hauliers who supply animals to VION. VION takes all necessary measures to prevent the spread of animal diseases.
Government measures
The measures laid down by the Dutch Government include requirements in respect of the transportation and bringing together of animals0, and in respect of hygiene, cleaning and disinfection. Preventing diseases from being introduced by visitors is also addressed here. Efforts to diminish the use of antibiotics have been made by certain stipulations in the Good Veterinary Practice code (GVP), and by means of the white list of permissible antibiotics in IKB.
Measures implemented by VION
Inspection assistants and veterinary surgeons of the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (VWA) check all carcasses, organs and meat at the VION slaughterhouses. Random samples are taken, which are checked for antibiotics and other undesirable or banned substances. All information is stored in a database.
In addition, VION Food Netherlands minimises its risks by employing very strict checks for the presence of MRSA bacteria in its own farms and branches, which go beyond statutory requirements. These continuous checks serve to ensure optimum working conditions for our own staff, and they enable us to immediately take the appropriate measures as required.
© VION Food Group 2013