Animal husbandry in Germany is responsible for a large number of animal welfare and environmental protection problems. The animals suffer from husbandry conditions that systematically prevent their species-specific behavior and from unspeakable transport and slaughter conditions. Large animal populations, high nutrient surpluses, resource consumption and immense greenhouse gas emissions lead to irreparable damage to the climate and environment. Society is no longer willing to accept these grievances.
The Federal Government and Federal Minister of Agriculture Julia Klöckner have been delaying necessary reforms for years in favor of the agricultural lobby. Laws have been made that advance the interests of the agricultural and meat industries rather than protecting the animals. The industry has created a highly subsidized system that relies on export and mass, but has no regard for people, animals and the climate. The trade pushes this system forward with price dumping on food and cheap meat advertising and educates consumers to the «cheap is cool» mentality. But animal welfare must not be left to the free market economy, the state must create effective laws and rules.
Farmers, industry, trade, science and civil society come together at the Commission for the Future of Agriculture appointed by Chancellor Angela Merkel to discuss the reorientation of German agriculture. One thing is clear: things cannot go on as before. Now it takes will and decisive action for a fundamental turnaround in agriculture and animal welfare. The Commission must now develop a specific mandate for further political action. There are already many proposals on the table that we must not fall behind.
Animal husbandry in Germany must change structurally. We need a significant reduction in the number of animals in the stables, animal-friendly husbandry conditions and a move away from the strong focus on exports. Subsidies can no longer be given across the board, but only for more animal welfare and climate protection. The price dumping policy for meat by trade must also be ended. Instead of continuing to advertise cheap meat, it must disappear from the supermarket shelves. Animal and climate-friendly alternatives should become the standard. In addition, consumers need mandatory husbandry labeling in order to be able to shop transparently and consciously. The animal torture system must finally end.
FOUR PAWS has developed recommendations for the Future Commission on Agriculture for download.