Authorities in the Netherlands may soon shut down the country’s last remaining duck slaughterhouse.
The municipality of Ermelo, located in the Veluwe region, announced it plans to deny a key environmental permit to Tomassen Duck-To and revoke the company’s existing licenses.
The decision follows a report from the Dutch National Bureau Bibob (LBB), which investigates risks of criminal activity related to business permits. The report concluded there is a “serious danger” that the slaughterhouse’s permits have been used to commit crimes.
Without valid permits, the company would be operating illegally under Dutch environmental and land-use laws and could face large financial penalties.
Years of controversy and legal pressure
Tomassen Duck-To has long been at the center of controversy. In 2018, the company requested new construction and environmental permits, which were updated again in 2024. But during this time, the business was repeatedly accused of operating outside the law.
Among the violations: building an air filtration system without permission and providing false emissions data.
Environmental organizations, residents, and legal advocacy groups have taken the company to court multiple times.
Earlier this year, a judge ruled that Tomassen did not meet stricter ammonia emission standards, resulting in the loss of its nature permit. Still, the company continued operating.
A temporary agreement between the municipality and the company, signed in late 2023, paused enforcement while Tomassen promised to comply. That period has now ended.
Widespread animal welfare concerns
Tomassen Duck-To is also widely known for poor animal welfare practices. Ducks transported to the facility reportedly suffer extreme stress and serious injuries during loading and transit.
For years, animal rights group Animal Rights has campaigned against the slaughterhouse, calling attention to repeated cruelty.
“Animal Rights is very pleased with the approaching end of the duck industry in the Netherlands. Since 2016, Animal Rights has been exposing the misery in duck sheds, the abuse of ducks during capture, and the hell that the slaughterhouse represents,” the group said in a statement.
Esther Ouwehand, political leader of the Dutch Party for the Animals, called the move a major breakthrough: “”Historic moment for animals! The duck slaughterhouse in Ermelo, known for notorious animal abuse and violations, must close. This almost certainly means the end of the entire Dutch duck industry.”
Animal welfare groups have long argued that the facility represents broader problems within the duck meat industry, which is small but persistent in the Netherlands. With this potential shutdown, that industry may effectively come to an end.
Final decision expected by the end of 2025
While the municipality’s intention is clear, the closure is not final yet. Tomassen Duck-To has six weeks to respond and submit a formal objection.
A final decision from the Ermelo city council is expected by the end of the year. If permits are officially denied, the company still has the right to appeal in court.
