According to media reports, the new Federal Minister of Agriculture, Alois Rainer, does not want to adhere to the ban on tethering cattle from 2035, as decided by the previous government. Thomas Schröder, President of the German Animal Welfare Association, comments:
"Even the compromise that the traffic light coalition had planned for tethering does not seem to be an option for Rainer. Rainer wants to continue to keep cattle tethered, which is contrary to animal welfare - and thus disregards the national objective of animal welfare and the Animal Welfare Act. This form of animal husbandry massively restricts the animals in their needs - and has therefore long been prohibited for all other animal species. It is unacceptable that cattle should continue to suffer just so that the CDU/CSU can satisfy its clientele. It is shameful that this is the first action by a federal minister who is also the official animal welfare minister."
