From 1 January 2024, livestock farms must have an annual fire safety inspection carried out in the stables. That is what Agriculture Minister Piet Adema writes in a letter to the House of Representatives. A stable fire in Reusel where three thousand pigs died last week is the last straw for the minister.
“I think every animal that dies in a barn fire is one too many,” writes Adema his letter to the House of Representatives. In his letter, the minister refers to the stable fires in Reusel and Sint-Oedenrode. Three thousand pigs died in the fire in Reusel last Tuesday. In Sint-Oedenrode, nine thousand piglets died in April in a large stable fire.
It is reason for Adema to act quickly. From 2024, it must become mandatory for livestock farmers to have an annual fire safety check done in the stables. This also applies to duck, turkey and rabbit keepers. In addition, large livestock farms must have their electricity and solar panels inspected every three years. Smaller livestock farms must do this every five years.
Increase pressure
Rules for the mandatory inspection were already being drafted. By appointing 2024 as the starting date and the obligation for all livestock farmers, the minister wants to increase the pressure. He also asked the Dutch Association of Insurers to list the causes of stable fires in a top eight list. Insurers must start spreading these causes to livestock farmers.
After last week’s stable fire in Reusel, the Dutch Association of Insurers already called for action. Especially after she released figures that last year 44,667 animals died in stable fires in Brabant.
In addition to the inspection, Adema also wants to oblige livestock farmers to make fire compartments in the technical room of existing stables. The compartments must prevent a fire from spreading quickly to the rest of the house.
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