The stand offered an opportunity for both a tasty breakfast and valuable discussion. Representatives of the VanDrie Group joined the State Secretary to discuss the interconnectedness of dairy farming and veal farming, and the importance of a future-proof veal sector in North-West Europe. 

Germany – an important sales market

The fact that Germans value veal is evident from its market share in veal sales from the Netherlands. Around 20 per cent of the veal produced by the VanDrie Group in the Netherlands is consumed by Germans. The VanDrie Group will be present throughout the Green Week (Grüne Woche) to inspire visitors to start using veal themselves. 

Chef Edgar Buhrs from the VanDrie Group demonstrated the versatility of veal. During the opening of the Dutch Pavilion, the chef served a delicious veal breakfast to the German Federal Minister and the Dutch State Secretary. 

Adjusted format

Although the traditional veal breakfast went ahead, the International Green Week kicked off in an adjusted format on Friday 17 January. These changes were made following the confirmation of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in the German state of Brandenburg. As a result, several visits and programme components were cancelled or adjusted. The VanDrie Group has decided to continue its participation in the trade fair, because the risk analysis showed there was no veterinary risk.