Federal Minister Alois Rainer announced today that he will propose to the Federal Cabinet that Parliamentary State Secretary Silvia Breher be appointed as the new Federal Animal Welfare Commissioner. Thomas Schröder, President of the German Animal Welfare Federation, commented:
"The appointment of Silvia Breher as Federal Animal Welfare Commissioner has left us utterly astonished. According to the previous job description, the Federal Animal Welfare Commissioner is supposed to provide independent advice. The Parliamentary State Secretary is responsible for animal welfare by virtue of her office. So how is that supposed to work? Ms. Breher will hardly be able to consult with herself. This reduces the independence that has been a central requirement of the position to absurdity. Furthermore, Member of Parliament Silvia Breher would in future decide on laws relating to agricultural animal husbandry, which she would then monitor as Federal Animal Welfare Commissioner and further develop in the interests of animal welfare. Anyone who seriously wants the office of independent Federal Animal Welfare Commissioner should decide: either Parliamentary State Secretary or independent Federal Animal Welfare Commissioner.
After his first 100 days in office, the federal minister has not been particularly active in the area of animal welfare. The same applies to his parliamentary state secretary. If the cabinet follows the proposal, it will be interesting to see which animal welfare initiatives will be pursued or initiated by the new commissioner. The pressing challenges of animal transport, tethered housing that violates animal welfare, animal testing, and domestic and wild animals await animal welfare-friendly solutions. These must be delivered quickly!"
