‘Historic’ agreement sets Dutch livestock on welfare path

In a landmark move, the Netherlands has set a course for animal-friendly livestock farming by 2040. Key stakeholders signed a covenant committing billions of euros to give farm animals more space, natural behaviour opportunities and better living conditions. The deal, hailed as historic, is the broadest animal welfare agreement ever reached in Europe. In early July 2025, 11 stakeholders – including farmers’ organisations, processors and marketing organisations, retailers, social interest