The written reasoning submitted regarding the landmark “turkey ruling” by the Federal Administrative Court (BVerwG) increases the pressure on the federal government to establish binding housing standards for turkeys. The German Animal Welfare Federation sees this as validation of its long-standing criticism of conventional turkey farming and calls on Federal Minister of Agriculture Alois Rainer to swiftly implement the necessary regulations.
“The written reasoning for the ruling makes it unmistakably clear that current turkey farming practices do not meet the requirements of the Animal Welfare Act. This provides a clear legal and technical mandate: The federal government must finally establish binding housing standards for turkeys,” demands Thomas Schröder, President of the German Animal Welfare Federation.
In its recently published reasoning for the judgment, the Federal Administrative Court clarifies that the so-called turkey guidelines from 2013 do not constitute a suitable basis for assessing turkey husbandry on farms under animal welfare law. This is because they do not sufficiently account for the effects of stocking density, group size, and housing design on the fulfillment of the animals’ basic needs—particularly their need for rest and social interaction. Furthermore, the guidelines do not indicate to what extent they prioritize the interests of animal owners over the needs of the animals. At the same time, the court emphasizes that even in the absence of specific regulations on turkey farming, authorities can rely directly on the Animal Welfare Act and scientific findings to take action against farming conditions that violate animal welfare standards. Furthermore, the court points out that the regulatory authority should specify the requirements for turkey farming in greater detail in order to significantly facilitate the enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act.
“The court’s ruling on beak trimming is also particularly clear: Animals must not be adapted to an unsuitable housing system. Rather, housing conditions must be improved. That is exactly what we have been demanding for years. Millions of turkeys suffer from excessive stocking densities, a lack of housing structure, and conditions that disregard their basic needs,” said Schröder.
Note to editors: The Federal Administrative Court (BVerwG) published the written reasoning for the April 23, 2026, ruling on July 13: BVerwG 3 C 2.25, Urteil vom 23. April 2026 | Bundesverwaltungsgericht
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