HOLLAND: FIRST BRITISH COWS SLAUGHTERED OVER BSE SCARE

Описание: (12 Apr 1996) English/Nat

The first British cattle to be killed over the mad cow disease crisis have been slaughtered in Holland.

125 cows were taken from a country farm to a slaughterhouse as the Dutch government cracks down against the threat to people posed by the disease.

These British calves were being bred for veal.

Although there were no incidents of B-S-E in the herd, the Dutch government is taking no chances.

They and 64-thousand other cows in Holland will be killed.

Cor Groeenstejn has been raising these calves.

SOUNDBITE: (Dutch)
"These calves which are leaving my farm were one week old when they came. They are now just 28 weeks old. It is not a good way to go."
SUPERCAPTION: Cor Groeenstejn, Local Farmer

Cattle owners who stand to lose the valuable animals still endorse the government policy on eradicating British cattle.

Lawrence de Roon owns these cattle.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
It's of course a pity that these cows are going to be destructed destroyed, that's a pity - but it is done for the security of the people - and then I think you have to do it."
SUPERCAPTION: Lawrence de Roon, owner of the animals

Around 100 angry and emotional protestors gathered outside the abattoir where the calves are to be killed.

The government is denying the slaughter is an over-reaction even though Holland remains officially B-S-E free.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"The government took a wise decision in looking for the best guarantee for the population. And I do understand the U-K problem which is very severe because over there they had many cases of B-S-E. We are so lucky to be in a position where we can, in a short time, react on this scale with this result."
SUPERCAPTION: Hank Tankink, General Director, National Inspection Service for Livestock and Meats

Two-thousand cows a day will be killed in Holland with the abattoir working five days a week.

The animals' remains will be incinerated elsewhere in the Netherlands.

The protests are expected to carry on for as long as the slaughtering continues.

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