Once again, this year’s Easter cattle market in Schagen (NL) raised serious concerns about animal-welfare. Many animals exhibited clear signs of cold stress and fear. Several cattle slipped and fell while being sprayed with water—an experience that is both painful and terrifying for prey animals like cattle, who instinctively fear being on the ground, where they feel most vulnerable.
Tragically, these issues are not new. Last year, similar signs of distress were observed, and one animal collapsed and died—likely overwhelmed by noise and overstimulation.
To their credit, the organizers have made some improvements in recent years. They switched from high-pressure water hoses to somewhat gentler nozzles and, this year, attempted to shield the area where “slaughter” cattle—those destined for slaughter rather than further breeding or fattening—were being kept, to reduce their exposure to stress and noise.
However, serious issues remain. Despite efforts to minimize stress, the environment on a big public market is always chaotic. People—including children—moved freely among the animals, creating a constant source of disruption and fear. The washing process, intended to make the cattle appear clean and well-groomed, instead left many of them cold, wet, and visibly distressed (see video of back end of cattle shivering)
Events like this continue to inflict unnecessary suffering on animals. While we recognize that the market is a longstanding tradition (since 1893) and an important social event for many, it is time to consider whether it still has a place in a society that increasingly values compassion and animal welfare. Traditions can evolve—and they should—especially when they come at the expense of sentient beings’ well-being and dignity.
We hope to meet with the market organizers soon to share the observations from this year and explore the possibility of creating a new kind of event—one that brings people together to celebrate community and culture without compromising the welfare of animals.
