Preparing animals (taxidermy)

Do you want to prepare animals (taxidermy)? Are you a taxidermist or do you want to have an animal preserved? You must take into account the rules concerning taxidermy. You are not allowed to prepare all animals. Preparing is the act of treating the dead body of an animal in such a way that it will be preserved.

Animals you may not prepare

There are some strictly protected species you may not prepare or have prepared. These species are listed in the Annexes to the Habitat regulation, Annex II of the Bern Convention and Annex I of the Bonn Convention.

Preparing of animals listed in these annexes is only allowed for educational purposes. In such cases you have to apply for exemption (derogation).

Animals you may prepare

Animal species that are listed in Annex, part A of the Nature Conservation Act (Wet Natuurbescherming, in Dutch) may be prepared if you found them already dead and they have died of natural causes. You do not need an exemption or derogation.

Exemption for birds

You are allowed to prepare dead wild birds that originate from within the territories from the EU member States. There are some conditions (in Dutch). For instance the bird has died without your fault or knowledge, or you killed the bird according to the provisions in the Nature Conservation Act.

Marking and notifying

If you want to prepare a dead bird or have it prepared, you must attach a prescribed mark to the animal and notify the dead bird with the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO). You have to notify the dead bird when you find or receive it and when you have prepared it. You also have to attach a mark (part A) when you find or receive it and when you have prepared it (part B). You can order the prescribed marks with RVO (in Dutch).

Taxidermy registration

If you are a taxidermist or you prepare animals, game trophies or make other animal preparations, you must register with the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA, in Dutch).

Taxidermists from other EU Member States may perform preparation work in the Netherlands.

Exemption for prohibition of possession and CITES certificate

Depending on the animal species, it could be that you require an exemption for prohibition of possession (dispensation from the Nature Conservation Act) or a CITES certificate.

Please note: The technical requirements that apply in the Netherlands to animals that have been or will be prepared differ from those of other EU Member States. If an animal that has been or will be prepared is already allowed in another EU Member State, the authorities may ban its sale in the Netherlands only in exceptional cases.