Joep Rats to leave NZO on June 1, 2025

The board of the Dutch Dairy Association (NZO) and director Joep Rats have mutually agreed to end their cooperation on June 1, 2025. Joep Rats started at NZO two years ago as an outsider from the construction sector.

From Chairman Albert de Groot: “We have come to know Joep as a passionate and professional director and we are grateful for his efforts during his time, not in the least for setting up NZO’s new strategy.”

From Joep Rats: “I have had the pleasure of getting to know and represent a wonderful sector, and am proud of my colleagues, of the cooperation with dairy farming organizations, and of strengthening dairy’s position in the diet. I am confident that the strategy will enable the NZO to move forward again.”

The NZO Board intends to appoint a successor quickly, and is grateful that René van Buitenen is willing to serve as acting director in the meantime.