Agriculture and animal health

Veterinary matters, animal health, and animal welfare

LNV is committed to a responsible and safe meat chain. This includes sound slaughter facilities and procedures to safeguard food safety and animal welfare during the slaughter process. The import and export of animals and animal products must also comply with requirements regarding animal health and food safety.

Agriculture, horticulture, and animal husbandry

Agriculture is a responsibility of the Public Entities of Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba. To reduce the dependence on food imports and thus increase the food security in the Caribbean Netherlands, strengthening sustainable local food production was mentioned in the Coalition Agreement and included as one of the main objectives in the Nature and Environment Policy Plan for the Caribbean Netherlands 2020-2030. The Ministry of LNV is supporting the Public Entities of Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba with the help of Dutch knowledge institutes to investigate possibilities of realising more efficient and sustainable food production.

Phytosanitary matters and crop protection

The Minister has the possibility of enacting phytosanitary legislation to protect agriculture. As there is no large-scale agricultural sector in the Caribbean Netherlands, no national phytosanitary legislation has been enacted. The Public Entities have the option of drawing up local regulations and policies. Improper use of plant protection products can pose dangers to human and animal health, therefore rules were set up as to which substances and pesticides are prohibited or for which a permit is required.