The Dutch deer farming industry lacks transparency. Unlike other livestock species, deer are excluded from government statistics on animal use and slaughter. A recent report from BuRO (Bureau for Risk Assessment and Research) provides limited information. The Netherlands reportedly has 21 deer farms raising red deer, but BuRO does not know how many of these farms breed deer for recreational purposes or meat production. According to internal figures from the NVWA, 586 farmed red deer were slaughtered in 2019. ^[16] The 'Dutch Association of Deer Farmers', the interest group for farmers who raise deer for meat production, has seven affiliated breeding farms, including De Weerd farm. ^[17] The government neglects animal welfare. The new pet and hobby animal list, which outlines mammal species that individuals are allowed to keep, took effect on July 1, 2024. This list was created by a committee of scientists who assessed the risks associated with keeping over 300 animal species, including deer. They considered the welfare risks for the animals, the safety of people, and the potential for zoonosis. ^[18] Deer were excluded from the new list because scientists determined they are highly unsuitable for livestock farming. They fall into the highest risk category due to their strong flight responses to disturbances, limited foraging opportunities, insufficient space in enclosures, and the stress and aggression issues that arise from unnatural living conditions. Additionally, there is a risk of zoonoses, and people can be seriously injured when handling red deer. ^[19] When the new list was announced in January 2023, then-Minister of Agriculture Adema expressed his commitment to adhere to the scientific recommendations. Deer should no longer be kept in deer parks after July 24 because, according to Adema, "animal welfare must come first." ^[20] However, farms that breed deer for meat production were immediately exempted from the ban on keeping them for economic reasons. ^[21] Due to pressure from the deer lobby, Adema also granted deer parks a "permanent exemption" in December 2023. Although deer are not included on the list of pets and hobby animals, and the law states that they may not be kept, this still occurs. ^[22] Legislation that supports animal welfare is frequently overturned by the livestock farmers' lobby. A similar situation occurred with the "Amendment Vestering," which aimed to end factory farming. Adema refused to implement the amendment passed by the House of Representatives and replaced it with a "covenant" allowing the animal industry to establish its own regulations. Even when legislation is in place, the NVWA often opts not to enforce it. This was evident, for instance, regarding legislation on livestock transport. ^[24] The fact that even the deer farming industry can block legislation shows how readily the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (LNV) aligns itself with the interests of the animal industry.