After the parliamentary summer break, the Bundestag will discuss the new animal protection law. The Federal Animal Welfare Commissioner wants to make improvements to the tying of cattle and the cutting of tails.
Federal Animal Welfare Commissioner Ariane Kari believes that the planned amendment to the Animal Welfare Act still requires considerable improvement. The proposed regulations are not sufficient, she stressed on Tuesday when taking stock of her first year in office.
Among other things, Kari opposed the planned exceptions to the ban on tethering animals in stables. “I am in favor of a complete ban,” stressed the animal welfare officer. The draft law, which the cabinet passed two months ago, stipulates that cattle, goats and donkeys may not be tied up in principle, but there will be a special regulation for smaller farms, as well as for the tethering of cattle, which is common in southern Germany.
More protection for piglets’ tails?
The bill is expected to be discussed in the Bundestag in September in a first reading. Kari hopes that subsequent changes will be made in the parliamentary process – including the regulations for cutting tails. The animal welfare commissioner would like to extend the proposed ban on lambs to pigs after a transitional period. Exceptions have also been made here so far.
The animal welfare officer also wants to see improvements in video surveillance in slaughterhouses. In her view, it would be “proportionate and correct” to include smaller operations as well, instead of only requiring larger slaughterhouses to do so.
Kari is the Federal Government’s first animal welfare commissioner. She took office in June of last year. In her view, there is still “enormous potential for improvement in almost all areas”.
Activity report of the animal welfare officer
Source: Stern
