Berlin
Agriculture Minister Özdemir wants to promote farmers who keep fewer animals and keep them better. Farmers are resisting his proposals.
Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir dismissed the farmers’ association’s criticism of the planned support for the Conversion of animal husbandry rejected. “I want good meat to continue to come from Germany in the future. To do this, we have to make animal husbandry sustainable,” said the Greens politician to our editorial team. “Our goal is that fewer animals are kept better – and the farmers are rewarded for this by the state.” There is a broad social majority for this. also read: Animal welfare: Özdemir wants to create more space for fattening turkeys
Özdemir emphasized that not a single company is obliged to convert its stables, reduce the number of animals or keep pigs in a more animal-friendly manner. “But those who rely on better and sustainable animal husbandry and thus make a contribution to climate and environmental protection will be reliable and sufficient in the future financially supported by the state” he explained
Animal protection: The farmers’ association sees a promotion program for dismantling
The farmers’ association had criticized the support plans for higher standards in the stables. “The industry has been seething since the proposals were on the table,” said Farmers’ President Joachim Rukwied of the German Press Agency. “This is not a program for Securing the future of the site Germany. But this is a program that is tantamount to a reduction.” The clear message is: “Yes to more animal welfare. That’s what the animal owners want to do. They can’t just do it with what’s on the table,” said Rukwied.
Özdemir replied that intensive animal husbandry harbored the risk of Excessive demands on animal and owner. “Anyone who didn’t want to take part in this system, which was designed to maximize profits, was quickly thrown out of the curve. Many smaller, family-run businesses that have opted for more animal welfare have already given up,” said the minister. “I don’t want to accept that! Because the alternative is: The meat comes from abroad, where we have no influence on how animals were kept.”
Animal welfare: The pig farmers are the first to benefit from the support program
Özdemir’s ministry presented key points of the funding program. First, pig farmers should be able to get money. Companies with standards that are well above the mandatory legal requirements should benefit. “Animal-friendly and environmentally friendly” new buildings and conversions of stables as well as ongoing additional costs for better husbandry are to be funded. The traffic light coalition wants “start-up financing” until 2026 one billion euros provide.
A mandatory logo is also planned form of husbandry stated on German meat products. Özdemir plans to introduce it for fresh pork later this year. The concept will also be the subject of the expert hearing on Monday Agricultural Committee be of the Bundestag. Also on the one starting on Friday green week Özdemir’s advances should be discussed in Berlin. You might also be interested in: Animal transport: Cem Özdemir wants to promote mobile slaughter
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