COV imports meat sector code of conduct

The COV has introduced its own code of conduct for the meat sector. The General Assembly of the COV has approved the proposal and the members will sign the COV Code.

Chairman Jos Goebbels: 'COV members attach great importance to trust in their actions and have therefore drawn up a sector-specific code of conduct. This code is a specialisation of the general Code of Conduct for the Food Chain, in particular because of the aspect of animal welfare, as it applies in the meat sector'.

The COV Code is a guide to appropriate behaviour and correct action, particularly in the area of food safety and product integrity of animal products. The code has been drawn up to help prevent the image of the Dutch meat chain, from the raw material, animal feed, animal husbandry, slaughter and processing up to and including the sale of the finished meat, from being harmed by careless actions.

An important part of the COV Code is that the companies ensure that animals are treated with respect and comply with animal welfare regulations. If employees report abuses, they can report this to the animal welfare officer or a confidential advisor on the basis of this COV Code.

Another agreement is that companies make every effort to ensure that risks of food fraud in the link before and after the company in the chain are identified, for example by making so-called VACCP (vulnerability assessment critical control points). The members see to it that the companies also make such an effort immediately before and after their own link.