Bioland criticizes the lack of animal welfare in agricultural policy
The state secretaries of the federal states responsible for agriculture are today advising on the animal welfare and livestock husbandry ordinance. In this context, Bioland criticizes the government's lack of ambition to anchor animal welfare in the long term. The extent of such an ignorant policy would be particularly evident in pig farming.
"From an extended period of piglet castration without anesthetic, to the weak state animal welfare label to the permission of crates, animal welfare in Berlin is simply smiled at in favor of industrial structures," says Gerald Wehde, Manager of Agricultural Policy at Bioland eV , show numerous responsible conventional farmers and we organic farmers!”
The sow should feel comfortable
Agriculture Minister Klöckner would like to allow sows to be kept in crates for a further 17 years in a revised livestock husbandry ordinance. Bioland is alarmed: "The assumption that a mother animal endangers its piglets does not justify prison conditions in which the sow is literally ignored," Wehde is annoyed. “The truth is, it's more about profitability. With a crate system, a farmer can produce as many piglets as possible in the shortest possible time in the smallest possible space. It is scandalous that politicians prefer this fact to animal welfare!”
Industrially reared sows generally spend most of their lives in the crate. In these body-sized metal frames, they cannot pursue their natural needs. Physical damage often develops due to the length of stay and lack of exercise.
"We expect the Federal Council to intervene here and raise its voice so that this type of animal husbandry comes to an end and can only be used in justified exceptional cases for a very short time," adds Wehde. In Germany, a court declared this husbandry practice years ago to be contrary to animal welfare.
The state animal welfare label that doesn't deserve its name
The planned voluntary animal welfare label of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food (BMEL) also almost completely excludes the husbandry criteria for dams and piglets. Each animal has only the legal minimum standard of a maximum of 2,5 square meters at all levels (compared to 7,5 square meters according to the EU organic regulation and Bioland). The fixation of sows shortly before and after birth is also permitted in all three stages. "Sows also suffer from Klöckner's animal welfare label, because Klöckner ignores sow husbandry," says Wehde for us of consumer deception.”
Germany's leading association for organic farming also criticizes that the animal welfare label does not provide a separate level for organic meat, as is already successfully practiced in egg labelling. "When shopping, consumers reach for the supposedly best level and do not even have the really best possible level, namely organic, in their hands with a full guarantee," says Gerald Wehde. "Consumers need orientation instead of confusion tactics!"
The voluntary state animal welfare label has not yet been passed into law. Bioland appeals to Minister Klöckner to be understanding and to take the criticism from consumers, farmers and their colleagues at the political level seriously.
In order to achieve more animal welfare, Bioland welcomes the Borchert Commission's proposal to recommend a quantity-related animal welfare tax on animal products as a financing instrument for the conversion of animal husbandry. Because in contrast to the increase in VAT, this is purpose-related and does not burden organic products disproportionately.
Image copyright: Bioland.
To the Bioland Association
Bioland is the most important association for organic farming in Germany. About 8.100 Farmers, gardeners, beekeepers and winegrowers operate according to the Bioland guidelines. In addition, there are more than 1.200 partners in manufacturing and trade such as bakeries, dairies, butchers and gastronomy. Together, they form a community of values for the benefit of people and the environment.
