Puppy mills out of control in Netherlands cautions Flemish minister

The Netherlands is too lax in dealing with puppy mills, according to Flemish Minister of Animal Welfare Ben Weyts. The Flemish are concerned that, despite them tightening the rules on puppy trade, neglected and unhealthy puppies still enter their market through Brabant traders, the minister said to Omroep Brabant. 

According to Weyts the strict Flemish policy on puppy breeders and dealers makes little sense as long as the Dutch government allows Brabant traders to continue unhindered. "If our regulations become more stringent, the temptation grows for traders to import from the Netherlands."

For years Belgium had a reputation of being a haven for dishonest dog trade, but this is increasingly moving into the Netherlands and especially Brabant, according to the Broadcaster. Flanders sharpened the rules to keep these neglected puppies out of their market, and hopes that the Dutch government will do the same.

Responsible State Secretary Klaas Dijkhoff of Security and Justice told the broadcaster, through a spokesperson, that he is always willing to listen to ideas from his Belgian colleagues. But the spokesperson added that the Netherlands already has very good rules in this area and that the enforcement is very strict.