Some 200 top Dutch chefs, including Michelin star winners Jonnie Boer, Joop Braakhekke and Robert Kranenborg, have written to parliament urging a rethink on plans to limit hunting.

Junior economic affairs minister Sharon Dijksma wants to introduce legislation requiring hunters to prove certain species need culling before being allowed to shoot.

The new law is a compromise between Labour’s call for a complete ban on hunting for pleasure and the VVD’s opposition to extra bureaucracy.

In addition, next Monday, MPs will debate a motion from the pro-animal PvdD calling for a total ban.

But the chefs fear the move will not only increase red tape but goes against the current trend towards using local produce. ‘We operate a code of honour,’ chef Joop Braakhekke told broadcaster Nos. ‘That means we use sustainable, local produce. But that will soon be impossible.’

According to the Dutch hunters’ association, 500,000 wood pigeons, 250,000 wild ducks, 170,00 hares and 75,000 pheasants are shot in the Netherlands every year.

‘We will soon be forced to offer our guests hare or wild duck from abroad,’ said Jonnie Boer in the letter.  ‘Dutch game is shot by expert hunters in our own regions and is a great product which fits perfectly into a sustainable food chain.’