James Brückner, Head of the Wildlife Department at the German Animal Welfare Association, comments on the new “Expert opinion on minimum requirements for the keeping of birds of prey and owls”, which has now been published by the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL):
“Compared to its predecessor from 1995, the current expert opinion is a significant step forward, at least in parts. This mainly concerns the expertise now required of keepers, but also information on general management and the handling of injured birds.
The fact that the use of birds of prey or owls as part of therapeutic measures is fundamentally rejected from an animal welfare perspective is positive, even if exceptions remain possible. The report also makes it clear that the display of birds of prey or owls in constantly changing locations, including air shows, and the keeping of animals in mobile facilities should not be tolerated.
However, it is disappointing that aviary dimensions have not been increased, and in some cases even reduced in height for smaller owl species. The basic problem of tethering falconry birds has also not been alleviated: it is still permitted to tether owls and birds of prey. The associated habituation or imprinting on humans, the reduction in food and the tethering itself considerably restrict the birds in their natural behavior and are therefore contrary to the provisions of the Animal Welfare Act.”
The revision process for the report began back in 2016 with an initial statement from the German Animal Welfare Association, followed by an on-site meeting of all associations involved in 2019 and various rounds of talks with the BMEL as well as written statements on various drafts over the years. The German Animal Welfare Association supported the report with reference to the joint statement of differences of the animal welfare associations (from page 48). The report is not legally binding, but can serve as a basis for decisions by inspecting authorities.
