During a meeting of pig farmers in November last year, he mentioned animal activists who had occupied a stable in Boxtel, among other things, ‘animal extremists’. The minister also referred to the occupiers in terms such as ‘those people’, ‘those guests’ and ‘these uninhibited figures’.
Dislodge with high pressure sprayer
An attendant tweeted about the minister’s statements, after which a complaint was filed against him. The Complaints Committee believes that these statements are indeed dismissive and that a complaint is well-founded.
Grapperhaus also said that animal activists should be chased ‘with a high-pressure sprayer’. The complainants felt that this called for breaking the law. The committee did not agree with this.
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Defend your own yard
Grapperhaus said earlier that evening that emotions were running high and that he wanted to tell the pig farmers what they could do if their farm were occupied by activists.
He then said that livestock farmers should be able to defend themselves on their own property, including with a high pressure sprayer. “That is just water, you get a little wet and then you may be blown a meter back,” said the minister.
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Animal Rights satisfied
It is not known from whom this specific complaint came. Animal rights organizations, including Animal Rights and the Animal Emergency Response Committee, reacted furiously to the statements of the minister. They then also threatened to report the crime.
“We are pleased that this minister has unambiguously been criticized for his statements. We have the opportunity to appeal to the National Ombudsman,” said Animal Rights campaigner Erwin Vermeulen.
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