Protection for grazing animals in the winter months

Winter is coming and with the arrival of the colder and wetter weather, it also becomes less obvious to leave our animals outside permanently. However, permanent grazing offers many advantages, such as freedom of movement. A pasture in which the animals can move around sufficiently and take shelter under natural cover or a pen creates a situation that is the closest to the environment in the wild.

Shelter is mandatory

Our Flemish Government imposes measures in function of the welfare of our animals. The law on animal welfare lays the basis for this, but also the Flemish Council for Animal Welfare advises the Flemish Government on animal welfare in Flanders. 

It is mandatory for the animals on the pasture to provide a place to shelter from sun, rain and wind. Nature can already provide shelter by means of a row of trees, or a shelter pen or stall can be provided. 

The term "animals" refers to any animal, such as horses, ponies, sheep, goats or alpacas.  

Permit or exemption?

Placing a stable or shelter is not exempt from permit, with a few exceptions. Thus, you can place a shelter house without a permit if all of the following conditions are met:

- The hutch consists only of wooden walls.
- The maximum height of the loft is 3 meters.
- The hutch has at least one completely open side.
- The coop shall not exceed 40 square meters per contiguous group of plots in a single property. 
- The coop will not be placed in spatially sensitive areas, with the exception of park areas. 
- The loft will not be equipped for permanent storage. 

On the market, however, many shelters are available in plastic, often also with a wood look. These do not meet the conditions and thus require a permit if you want to install them. Even if you have divided the pasture and provide a shelter pen for each section, together they should not exceed 40 square meters in area. This is because in this way several shelters are provided per contiguous group of plots in one property. 

If you do not want to apply for a permit, then you must also pay very close attention to the orientation of the shelter. One side must remain completely open. A half-open side does not meet the conditions and is subject to a permit. 

Permit

Does your shelter not meet the conditions listed above? Then you can still place one or more shelters, provided you apply for a permit.  

If you have a permit, you are not limited in your choice of materials, surface area or building height. However, the permit application will be checked against urban planning regulations and good urban planning. 

With your permit application, you must include a plan of the shelter, with clear dimensions, location and materials used. If you are placing a shelter or stable larger than 40 square meters, you will also need the cooperation of an architect.