Two inspectors visited the cattle market in Bunnik unannounced. The last time we were at this market was 1.5 years ago. This cattle market takes place every week at a farm animal collection centre.
The atmosphere was calm and most of the cows looked generally healthy. The Holstein cows however always look rough- very thin and swellings on their joints. One cow had dripping udders. The manager of the market assured us that he would personally milk the cows that needed to be milked. We advised that the market invest in a mobile milking machine, like they use in Leeuwarden.
On this market “dairy”- and “meat” cattle of various races are traded. Today there were a few dozen cows present. The animals arrive in the early morning and stay about three hours on the market until they are sold and transported to slaughterhouses within the Netherlands. Straw bedding is not supplied on this cattle market, but there is water available. The ropes the cows are tied up with are too short to allow them to lie down. We thank the market managers for letting us visit and will send them our report and recommendations.
