State animal welfare mark: ZDG demands total package
The German poultry industry sees a clear need for improvement in the package of laws for more animal and environmental protection in agriculture passed by the Federal Cabinet on Wednesday. Concrete points of criticism are the planned voluntariness of the state animal welfare label, the lack of embedding of the planned regulations in urgently needed adjustments to building and environmental law and the currently unsecured additional cost reimbursement for farmers.
Voluntary label - no broad impact, clear competitive disadvantages
"A voluntary label will never achieve the desired broad effect and is associated with clear competitive disadvantages," says Friedrich-Otto Ripke, President of the Central Association of the German Poultry Industry e. V. (ZDG). The German poultry industry is therefore very pleased that Federal Minister Julia Klöckner wants to apply to the European Commission in Brussels for a mandatory label in the short term.
A mere label is not enough - adjustments to construction and environmental law are necessary
"It's not enough with a mere label!" warns ZDG President Ripke. “The political and legal framework in building and immission law must change urgently, otherwise the label will remain mere theory. An 'animal welfare improvement permit' must be established immediately in building and immission control law. Our farmers are absolutely ready for more animal welfare in their stables - but politicians must now enable them to implement the necessary structural adjustments to the animal welfare criteria. We finally need a viable, future-oriented solution for the conflicting goals of animal welfare and environmental protection.”
Animal welfare premium: Reimbursement of the additional costs must be secured
"The complete and secure reimbursement of the additional costs for our farmers must be the core component of animal welfare labeling", Ripke also repeats the poultry industry's demand for an animal welfare premium. The ZDG President is optimistic that the required changes can still be achieved: "We are relying heavily on the parliamentary debate and the results of the competence network on livestock strategy set up by Federal Minister Klöckner. It needs a social contract that is broadly supported by producers, retailers and consumers.”
