At their special conference of agriculture ministers today, the agriculture ministers of the federal states called on the federal government to present an overall concept for state animal husbandry labeling and funding for the restructuring of animal husbandry by autumn at the latest. Thomas Schröder, President of the German Animal Welfare Federation, commented:
"Animal husbandry labeling is only one building block. What is missing is a concept, which should come first. In addition, animal husbandry labeling in its current form will bring zero improvements for the animals. It merely sorts different forms of husbandry into a system on the basis of rough parameters and thus only reflects the status quo. It fails to reflect the consumer's desire for more animal welfare and also fails to initiate the development towards more animal welfare. Instead of setting an expiration date for the "barn" and "barn+place" husbandry systems, which are incompatible with animal welfare, these are cemented through state labeling. This will lead to the industry aligning itself with the lowest level. Therefore, no legislation on animal husbandry labeling should be passed until an overall strategy - as demanded by the federal states - is in place. Without a strategy, farmers will continue to have no planning security and will not move towards greater animal welfare."
Note to editors: With its current campaign "Now more animal welfare!", the German Animal Welfare Federation provides information on which announcements from the coalition agreement the coalition government has already tackled and where there are only empty promises so far: www.jetzt-mehr-tierschutz.de
