Federal Minister of Agriculture Alois Rainer commented on current animal welfare issues in an interview today (source: Rheinische Post). Among other things, he spoke about the planned video surveillance in slaughterhouses and financial support for animal shelters. Thomas Schröder, President of the German Animal Welfare Federation, commented:
"The challenges in animal welfare have been obvious and well documented for years. It is possible that the federal minister has not yet reviewed all the relevant documents. His recent interview reveals only the first steps toward an animal welfare policy—but consistent implementation has yet to follow.
Alois Rainer announces video surveillance in slaughterhouses, as promised in the coalition agreement, but excludes smaller slaughterhouses. It is clear that death means suffering for every animal, regardless of whether slaughter takes place in a small or large facility. The path to death should not be associated with additional suffering. Consistent animal welfare would require surveillance in all slaughterhouses.
Moreover, video surveillance alone is only half the battle. Anesthesia and slaughter methods are also crucial: as long as animals have to die for human consumption, slaughterers should be able to anesthetize them more quickly, safely, and painlessly. This requires improved and more humane procedures that are made mandatory by law.
“Artificial turf seems to be more important to the federal minister than the lives of dogs and cats.”
When it comes to animal shelters, the minister rejects financial support from the federal government and refers to the federal principle. Apart from the fact that he is in breach of contract—because the coalition agreement explicitly promises investment aid for animal shelters—he is applying double standards here. At the same time, the federal government is financing sports facilities with one billion euros, even though this is also a municipal responsibility. Artificial turf seems to be more important to the federal government and the federal minister than the lives of dogs and cats. That is a bitter realization from this interview. There is a national goal of animal welfare to which the federal minister is committed. A national goal of sports, on the other hand, does not exist.
The federal minister accurately describes the illegal puppy trade as dramatic, but has so far offered no concrete solution.
Mr. Federal Minister, more can be done – much more!"
