Netherlands limits adoptions of US children

Netherlands limits adoptions of US children

5 hours ago

THE HAGUE (AFP) — The Dutch government said Wednesday it would make it more

difficult to adopt American children, who formed the third largest group of

foreign adoptions in the Netherlands last year.

"The adoption of children from the United States will be subjected to stricter

requirements," the justice ministry said in a statement -- explaining that small

children could easily be placed with American families.

>From a total of 767 foreign adoptions last year, 56 were of American children

-- the third largest group after China and Haiti.

Under Dutch adoption regulations, it was preferable for a child to be adopted

from within his own area or country. And investigations have shown that "small

children can easily find homes with American families," said the statement.

"There appears to be no necessity to place these children outside the United

States."

The ministry said the tougher criteria would not be applied to American children

of five years or older, those in foster care, or those who are difficult to

place because of health problems or other special reasons.