Dromedaries welcome back in the Netherlands?
Since July 1, 2024, only the 30 mammal species that are on the Dutch domestic and hobby animal list may be kept in the Netherlands. Keeping the other mammal species (including the dromedary) would endanger the welfare of humans and animals too much. Keeping dromedaries is also not allowed. This ban does not apply to camel dairy farm Smits. This largest camel dairy farm in Europe has been granted an exemption.
On 19 December 2025, the Trade and Industry Appeals Tribunal (CBb) heared thirteen appeals about the ‘domestic and hobby animal list’ decision.
The Netherlands has a reputation for leading the way in regulating animal welfare. There is therefore a fear that other European countries will follow the Dutch example and also ban the keeping of dromedaries. The ruling of the Dutch Supreme Court is therefore of great importance for European dromedary holders.
Background:
The relevant advisory board of the government has determined that animal species that are highly domesticated may be kept in the Netherlands, because they have proven to be safe for humans to keep. Animal species that are not highly domesticated may be kept if, according to certain risk criteria, they do not pose a danger to the welfare of humans and animals.
The dromedary is not domesticated far enough because this animal species has not been proven to form a variety and therefore does not meet the most important criterion of far-reaching domestication. It is remarkable that the two-humped camel (camelus Bactrianus) is considered to be highly domesticated, despite the fact that breed formation in these animals has been the same as breed formation in the dromedary.
Some argumentation from those involved:
- The criterion “domesticated” is insufficiently scientifically substantiated. For example, the criterion “far domesticated”, an interpretation of the advisory board itself, has not been published in the scientific literature and therefore not demonstrably assessed by independent experts. There is also no international consensus on this concept. Moreover, many mistakes were made in the assessment of many animal species on the basis of the criteria.
- Many highly domesticated animal species have as many or sometimes more risk factors than non-domesticated animal species. Therefore, (far-reaching) domestication cannot be used as a criterion for admission to the list of domestic and hobby animals.
- The domestication process of the dromedary has been the same as that of the two-humped camel (camelus Bactrianus). In both animal species, breed formation (a crucial characteristic of advanced domestication) has occurred.
What is at stake?
The judges decide whether the house and hobby animal list should be deactivated. If there is no legal reason for this, the judges will decide whether animal species that have wrongly not been included on the list (including the dromedary) should still be included on the list.
The verdict is on May 28, 2026 and can be followed online (www.rechtspraak.nl)