Summary second supreme court hearing

Report of the second session of the Supreme Court on the list of domestic and hobby animals on 19 December 2025

The judges had indicated that during the hearing only questions from the judges and, if necessary, answers from those involved could be addressed. It was not the intention to repeat what was stated in statements of defence that the judges had received prior to this and the previous hearing.

It was made clear that there is no scientific substantiation of the concept of “far-reaching domestication” and the “instrument” with which it is measured whether keeping an animal species entails too many risks for the welfare of animals and/or humans.

A member of the Advisory Board noted that there are now strong indications that the Alia Dromedary is highly domesticated and that therefore the dromedary could be highly domesticated.

I have made it clear that the minister has not properly complied with the wishes of the Dutch Parliament (motion adopted by the House of Representatives), which asked for a reassessment of the dromedary. This reassessment was carried out, but the advisory board ignored it. Despite the fact that the advisory board has no demonstrable knowledge in the field of domestication. 

At the beginning of next February, the judges will announce when the verdict will be.

I have the impression that the judges have good knowledge of the case. This gives confidence, but I don’t dare to make a prediction about the verdict.

Keep fingers crossed!

Marcel