Association of the meat industry criticizes federal ministers
Bonn, March 2022 - "A further reduction in animal stocks in Germany is counterproductive," the meat industry association replies to the connection made by Cem Özdemir that "eating less meat would be a contribution against Putin". For the association, the minister's actions are questionable in view of the facts: how can you explain to people that you could do something against the war in Ukraine by personally not eating meat. Restricting animal husbandry in Germany would result in a reduction in natural manure and an even higher use of mineral fertilizers. Its production is based on large quantities of oil and gas imported from Russia. With the sale of these fossil fuels, however, Russia is currently financing its campaign in Ukraine. A renunciation of meat in the diet would therefore even be counterproductive.
The Meat Industry Association considers it necessary to provide clarity in this way: Agriculture is a complex network in which animals and plants cannot be separated. The link is the non-edible biomass. In the case of all plant-based foods produced, in addition to the actual fruit, a significantly larger proportion of non-edible biomass such as stalks or leaves is also harvested. The harvested products themselves are processed further, for example into flour, sugar or oil. All in all, every kilogram of vegan food produced in agriculture produces around four kilograms of non-edible biomass. Only farm animals are able to digest this inedible biomass and thus produce high-quality meat and milk.
From the point of view of the association, quick action in other fields is necessary instead. So far there has been little movement in animal welfare transformation and husbandry labelling. The economy, on the other hand, has long acted. Since 2019, meat packaging in large supermarkets and discounters has been characterized by a four-stage way of keeping it. It provides information on how the animals lived until they were slaughtered. Consumers could already support animal welfare in German animal husbandry by making an active purchase decision.
Like many social groups, the VDF is also pushing for the implementation of solutions for more animal welfare. The proposals of the Livestock Husbandry Competence Network are on the minister's table. They are supported by a broad consensus in the agricultural and food industry, consumer representatives and animal and environmental protection organizations. They now have to be put into practice.
