Grote grazers in uiterwaarden : Verkenning van organisaties, oppervlakten, aantallen rundvee en paarden die betrokken zijn bij natuurbeheer van uiterwaarden via grote grazers

Summary

On behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature, Wageningen Environmental Research has conducted research into large grazers in nature reserves, where there may be excessive concentrations of dioxins in the meat of these animals. These animals are used for nature conservation, the meat is a valuable by-product. It turns out that too high concentrations has only been found in animals that are kept in certain floodplains all year round. It is estimated this concerns about 1000 animals, mostly cattle,with which more than 4000 hectares of nature reserve in floodplains are managed. In the current registrationof animals in the Netherlands, animals are linked to holders, which means that it is not possible to un ambiguously determine in which nature reserves they reside. In recent decades, there has already been an increase in the area managed by large grazers, and given the current nature management types in floodplains, a considerable development can still take place. The ministry wants to use this information in the development of possible additional policy options.