Netherlands Calls for Ban on Cruel Kangaroo Product Imports Amid Outrage Over Animal Suffering

They are a symbol of Australia, but behind the happily jumping kangaroos there is a lot of misery. About 1.6 million kangaroos are killed every year, according to the latest figures. Their meat and skin are used and exported. Our country is a major consumer of these products.

For example, kangaroo is found in football boots and ice skates, and the meat is processed into dog food that is commonly found in pet stores here. Some restaurants have kangaroo as a special item on the menu.

‘forbidden’

A majority of the House of Representatives – from PVV to JA21 and the Animal Party – now wants a ban on the import of kangaroo products. This is evident from a tour with RTL News. Because there is a terrible world behind it, says PvdD MP Ines Kostić. “Every year, 1.6 million kangaroos are brutally killed. To give one example: small young kangaroos are caught by their hind legs and thrown against a car or a stone. It is a terrible case .”

A majority of the House of Representatives wants the cabinet to ask companies in our country to stop using kangaroo products. “And we want our government to advocate an import ban on kangaroo products in Europe. ”

Groups like Live Kangaroos in Protect the world’s animation has been campaigning against the products of these marsupials for years. “The hunting is really horrible. Especially the way the baby kangaroos are treated. There is no supervision of the killing. Many experts say that the process is not always humane. There is long suffering, ” said Dennis Vink from Live Kangaroos.

The suffering behind it is unknown

In the last few years, the groups have already written to all kinds of companies that sell kangaroo products. Major brands such as Gucci, Versace, Prada, Nike and Puma have already stopped, Vink knows. H&M also does not sell kangaroo leather. “We also often see ignorance among companies. They often don’t know what the suffering is behind the business.”

But there are still stores where the products are still available, says Vink. And: even recommended. “You can also find kangaroo products from various online shops. We hope that a majority in Parliament will ensure that these companies also come into existence.”

The attention

The debate has been going on for some time. An Australian delegation attended the House of Representatives recently to draw attention to the horrific shooting. An Australian MP also called on the Dutch government to ban kangaroo products. The Animal Party asked parliamentary questions to the cabinet last December.

The minister at the time Piet Adema then said that ‘he takes seriously the concerns about the marsupials’, but that he cannot organize a ban. “The Netherlands is part of the European internal market. A possible import ban on kangaroo products can only be organized at the European level,” wrote Adema. And Europe is not listening to that yet.

Will it change?

Will this change under the Schoof cabinet? The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature will provide answers soon, a spokesperson said when asked.