Legal matters

Legal matters, which are currently mainly in the spotlight include:
1. Admission of camels in Europe
2. Sale of camel milk in Europe

These legal matters are explained below.

1. Admission of camels in Europe:

The Netherlands:

As of 1 July 2025, it is no longer be allowed to keep dromedaries in The Netherlands. However, the largest camel dairy in Europe, Camel Dairy Smits (www.kamelenmelk.nl ), has been granted an exemption.
The reason that dromedaries are no longer allowed to be kept in the Netherlands is that dromedaries are not on the list of the 30 mammals that can still be kept in the Netherlands. The main reason  is that dromedaries are not considered to be highly domesticated. This is in contrast to, for example, the two-humped camels, which are considered to be highly domesticated. A remarkable conclusion, because the domestication process of the dromedary has been almost identical to that of the two-humped camel.

Dutch camel keepers and steakholders have asked the Supreme Court to assess whether the government has ruled correctly by banning the dromedary from the Netherlands. All the more so since there is a danger that other European countries will adopt Dutch law.

On 28 May 2026, the Trade and Industry Appeals Tribunal will rule on whether the dromedary is highly domesticated and whether the dromedary may be kept in the Netherlands.

Grounds of appeal 

The European Camel Research Society and Camel Dairy Smits have put forward the following grounds of appeal:The Dutch domestication criterion deviates from internationally recognised FAO standards and does not meet EU requirements of objectivity and non-arbitrariness.

  1. The dromedary is domesticated in a similar way to the camel, which is on the positive list.
  2. Scientific literature and experts confirm that the dromedary is highly domesticated.
  3. Dromedaries are safe to keep, similar to other production animals; No specialist knowledge required.
  4. The arguments and quotes used for ‘not far domesticated’ are scientifically unsound.
  5. The criteria used lack a peer-reviewed basis, international consensus and do not comply with EU non-discrimination.
  6. The risk assessment does not comply with the EU methodology and the precautionary principle.

Crucial literature on the domestication1 and the domestication of the dromedary2-6 are mentioned below.

1             Lord, K. A., Larson, G., Allaby, R. G. & Karlsson, E. K. A universally applicable definition for domestication. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 122, e2413207122 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2413207122

2             Smits, M., Joosten, H., Faye, B. & Burger, P. A. The Flourishing Camel Milk Market and Concerns about Animal Welfare and Legislation. Animals (Basel) 13 (2022). https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13010047

3             Smits, M., Joosten, H., Faye, B. & Burger, P. Domestication of the Dromedary Revisited and Its Consequences for Legislation as to Keeping Livestock or Pet Animals. Animals (Basel) 13 (2023). https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13132050

4             Haddad, N. J. et al. The Alia Camel of Jordan: a genetically distinct dromedary breed. J Hered 116, 435–440 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1093/jhered/esae076

5             Smits, M. Evidence for the existence of the distinct Alia camel breed contributes to the conservation of dromedary camels in Europe. J Hered 116, 568 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1093/jhered/esaf009

6             Al-Araishi, M., Smits, M. & Weir, A. The Alia dromedary: Evidence of systematic selective breeding for human benefit and its implications for camel conservation in Europe. J Hered 117, 366–367 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1093/jhered/esaf107

2. Sale of camel milk in Europe.

In many European countries camel milk can be saled if pastorized. Raw unprocessed camel milk is not allowed to be sold in most European countries. 

However, the sale of unprocessed raw camel milk is allowed in some countries, when the consumer collect the camel milk himself from the producer.  In the Netherlands this is also allowed. In addition also raw unprocessed camel milk can be delivered to consumers and distribution centres if specific conditions are met. Camel dairy Smits meets those specific conditions. Consequently, consumers can order unprocessed chilled or frozen raw camel milk via internet. 

2. Sale of camel milk in Europe.

In many European countries camel milk can be sold as long as it has been pasteurised. Raw unprocessed camel milk is generally not allowed to be sold in shops.  

In some countries however, consumers may buy raw camel milk directly from the farm. This is also possible in the Netherlands. Under specific legal conoditions, raw milk may even be delivered to consumers or distribution centres. Camel Dairy Smits meets all these requirements, which means consumers can easily order raw unprocessed camel milk- chilled or frozen- online (https://oasismilk.com).