No culling of pigs in Dutch feed scare

Furazolidone is an antibiotic banned in Europe since 1995 because its break down product can be carcinogenic. In April of this year, traces were found at Dutch veal calf farms and later also pig farms came into the picture.

As a result, 97 farms (with a total of more than 50,000 pigs) in the Netherlands were blocked as a result of them having been fed with contaminated feed. The feed contained traces of the banned antibiotic furazolidone, and was supplied by Kats Food and Feed and sold to a number of feed companies, that again sold the feed to the veal and pig farms.

The NVWA performed a round of test slaughters on several farms. Because there was no residue found, the farms have been unlocked (meaning they can sell the animals again).

Also nine veal calf farms in the Netherlands got in contact with the contaminated feed. The NVWA decided that the calves on four of these farms had to be culled. This was done last week. It concerned 2,450 calves in total. Also traces on a fifth farm were found this week. The animals will be culled also in the coming days. On another two veal farms no traces have been found and these farms have been unlocked. Investigation is still on-going on two farms. According to the NVWA, the veal calf feed had a higher contamination level compared to the pig feed.

For now, feed company Van Kats Food & Feed has been suspended. This also means that its GMP+ certificate has been suspended.