Regarding yesterday's first face-to-face meeting between the German Animal Welfare Federation and Federal Minister of Agriculture Alois Rainer (CSU) and Federal Animal Welfare Commissioner and Parliamentary State Secretary Silvia Breher (CDU), Thomas Schröder, President of the German Animal Welfare Federation, commented:
"We expressly welcome the fact that Federal Minister Alois Rainer and Federal Animal Welfare Commissioner and Parliamentary State Secretary Silvia Breher took the time today to hear first-hand about the concerns and prospects of animal welfare. This is an important signal for all those who are committed to animals on a daily basis and fight for greater animal welfare. It was an intensive exchange on the most pressing challenges in animal welfare.
The dramatic situation in animal shelters was discussed. Among other things, the discussion focused on the implementation of the promised investment aid, but also on the legal framework, from cat neutering, to a positive list and fee schedule for veterinarians, to expertise for animal owners. We addressed a ban on cruel animal transport, criticism of the state animal husbandry label, and the demand for a reduction strategy for animal testing.
A good, trusting dialogue has begun. That gives us hope. But we also made it clear that we expect the federal minister, who is also the minister for animal welfare, and the federal animal welfare commissioner to live up to the state goal of animal welfare in the Basic Law—with binding measures, clear timetables, and sufficient funding."
