People living around goat farms more likely to get pneumonia; Experts want issue handled

People who live near a goat farm struggle with pneumonia more often than others. The Health Council of the Netherlands has concluded that the farms are probably the cause of the complaints and is, therefore, pleading for measures to “restrict the health risks for people who live near goat farms.”

The researchers compared several studies, which all point to a link. In Noord-Brabant and Noord-Limburg, where many livestock farms are located, there were up to 60 percent more cases of pneumonia between 2014 and 2016 than in areas with few such farms.

Other studies show that the lungs of people who live near goat farms work less effectively. These people also struggled more with a coronavirus infection than others.

The Health Council had also looked into the number of pneumonia infections near goat farms in 2018. There were some connections at that time, but the picture is now clearer. The researchers do not think there is one source that is leading to people becoming ill, but that it is a “combination of factors.”

There have not yet been any suggestions for possible measures from the Health Council to protect nearby residents’ health. These measures will be added to the next part of the research, which will be published near the end of the year.

The responsible ministers, Femke Wiersma of Agriculture (BBB) and Daniëlle Jansen of Public Health (NSC), are awaiting the second part of the advisory report. “Both parts are needed to determine the next steps,” they wrote in a joint letter to Parliament.

The Tweede Kamer, the lower house of Dutch parliament, has previously passed a motion stating that, due to health risks, no new goat farms or expansions should be allowed. The ministers are still considering how the caretaker Cabinet will implement this. In many provinces, it is currently already not possible to obtain a permit for a goat farm.