Agrar: Stop for extra funding for the conversion of pig stables

Federal Minister of Agriculture Alois Rainer ends a separate funding introduced by the traffic light coalition for the conversion of pig farming to higher standards. “Placebo programs do not help our farmers,” said the CSU politician. Therefore, the financial resources are bundled in times of scarce coffers and put on a proven other instrument when it comes to funding.

The predecessor with Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir (Greens) had decided to get a funding of one billion euros by 2026 for greater change for more animal welfare. The “federal program for the conversion of agricultural animal husbandry” provides grants for structural changes to stables and also for higher ongoing costs.

No hoped -for impulse effect

The ministry explained that the hoped -for impulse effect was not assumed. The already limited program therefore runs out earlier. Since the start last year, 271 applications for investment grants have been submitted, and there are 413 applications for the funding of additional costs. The ministry explained that the funding for the construction of animal -friendly pigstalls should again be through the joint task “Improvement of the agricultural structure and coastal protection” (GAK) in the federal budget.

Criticism of farmers and environmentalists

The farmers’ association criticized the end of the current program as a bitter setback for animal owners. Without financial support and legal relief, further development could only orientate itself to what is possible on the market. This will slow down the renovation. The association also criticized that no additional fresh money should be set into the budget.

The environmental organization Greenpeace spoke of a “slap in the face of the farmers who want to push the conversion of their stables”. The minister destroys a good, slim and functioning funding system that has promoted consumers’ desire for more animal welfare.