Murder of Karel Van Noppen

The Murder of Karel Van Noppen was a high-profile killing of a government livestock inspector investigating illegal practises by farmers and businessmen in Belgium.

The 'hormone mafia'

Using growth hormones on livestock has the potential to increase the profit per animal between 10 to 100%. However, the use of such hormones has been banned by the European Union since 1989 and so organised crime, motivated by the immense profits, moved into the business. This has been a particular concern in Belgium, where several colleagues of Mr Van Noppen had been threatened or had attempts made on their lives.^[1]

The murder

In February 1995 43-year old Karel Van Noppen, who was investigating the phenomenon, was shot dead outside his front door. The killing provoked outrage throughout Belgium, with a torchlight procession led by his widow in Flanders and calls to investigate and better regulate the cattle industry.^[2] In 2002, a court sentenced Albert Barrez, Carl de Schutter and Germain Daenen to 25 years each for their roles in the murder, while another man, Alex Vercauteren received a life sentence without parole.^[3]

In popular culture

The 2011 Belgian crime drama Bullhead is based on the incident.^[4]

References