The German Animal Welfare Federation and its Lower Saxony regional association welcome the fact that Lower Saxony is the first federal state to completely phase out tethered cattle farming. According to a decree issued by Minister Miriam Staudte, all forms of tethered farming will be banned within nine years at the latest – including so-called combined or seasonal farming systems. This was also demanded by the cattle working group of the Lower Saxony Animal Welfare Plan for Sustainable Livestock Farming. Even though animal welfare activists would have liked to see a shorter transition period for the sake of the animals currently affected, Lower Saxony's move sends an important signal to the other federal states – especially Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg – as well as to the federal government.
“Tethered housing is a clear violation of the Animal Welfare Act. This makes it all the more important that Lower Saxony is now taking the lead, demonstrating animal welfare in its husbandry practices and turning its back on all forms of tethered housing,” comments Dieter Ruhnke, Chairman of the Lower Saxony State Animal Welfare Association. Thomas Schröder, President of the German Animal Welfare Federation, added: “Instead of waiting in vain for the federal government to act, Lower Saxony is showing how it's done. Now the other federal states must follow suit – the end of tethered housing, which violates animal welfare, is long overdue!”
ANY FORM OF TIE-STAYING IS CONTRARY TO ANIMAL WELFARE
Across Germany, almost one million cattle are still kept in tie-staying systems on farms. When cattle are tied up with chains or rigid neck frames, they cannot turn around, lick their backs when they itch, and certainly cannot run around or engage in social behavior. Often, the space available is so limited that not all animals can lie down at the same time without hindering or injuring each other. Standing on the slatted floor can also cause the animals' joints to swell or their udders to become inflamed.
OVER A THOUSAND TIE-STAY FARMS IN LOWER SAXONY
Although year-round tie-stay farming has not been permitted in Lower Saxony for many years, there are apparently still farms that keep their animals tied up there all year round. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, there are well over a thousand farms with tie-stay systems in Lower Saxony. “Of course, animal welfare also costs money,” says Ruhnke. “However, sticking to illegal forms of husbandry must not be a competitive advantage – at the expense of the animals.” The decree will come into force in a month and stipulates that the conversion to an animal-friendly form of husbandry must be completed after seven years at the latest. In individual cases, this period may be extended by a further two years. Livestock owners who do not comply with their reporting obligations or intend to give up cattle farming must do so within five years of the announcement of the general ruling.
