On 23 April 2026, the Dutch OECD National Contact Point (NCP) published its initial assessment of the notification submitted by World Animal Protection Netherlands (WAP) concerning Rabobank regarding alleged violations of the OECD Guidelines.
The notification concerns alleged adverse animal welfare impacts linked to Rabobank’s financing activities in industrial livestock supply chains. The notifying party argues that, through its business relationships with large internationally operating meat and dairy companies, Rabobank is linked to adverse impacts on the welfare of farmed animals. According to WAP, Rabobank has not conducted adequate due diligence with respect to animal welfare and falls short in preventing and mitigating adverse impacts on the so‑called “Five Freedoms” for animals, as referenced in the OECD Guidelines since 2023.
The NCP concludes that the notification meets the criteria for further consideration and has offered its good offices to the parties involved. Both parties have accepted this offer.
The NCP emphasizes that the initial assessment does not imply any finding as to whether Rabobank has acted in accordance with the OECD Guidelines.