Since its foundation in 1919, when Dutch farmers and dairy organisations joined forces to combat animal diseases, Royal GD has focused on animal health. The Animal Health Department for Cattle in Friesland was established to combat tuberculosis in cattle. This was followed by many other diseases. But some things never change and Ruth Bouwstra of Royal GD agrees, explaining that they have established animal health monitoring programmes, and supported agricultural sectors with disease outbreaks such as Q fever and avian influenza.