An investigation into the illegal trade in beef cattle semen led to raids on a number of homes and business premises in Noord and Zuid-Holland, Friesland and Gelderland on Tuesday, the Telegraaf reports.

The case centres on a beef cattle breeder who is suspected of selling semen on to other companies, the paper said.
There are strict rules surrounding the trade in cattle semen in order to prevent the spread of disease and maintain the quality of the stock.
This means semen must always be sold openly so it can be traced back to source, the food safety authority is quoted by the paper as saying.