Completely slatted floors must be removed from pig stables. By 2030, say the Greens. That is not possible, objects the farmers’ association, which is now taking legal action. Paul Nemecek, director of the Lower Austrian Farmers’ Association, in the krone.tv speech: “Politically speaking, there will no longer be a solution here.”
“If you completely ban slatted floors in Austria, that does not mean that you also completely ban slatted pigs,” says Nemecek. If you believe that we can create another island of the blessed in Austria, you would only encourage the import of pork on fully slatted floors. “That is very clear and must be said to the consumer.”
The Boerenbond has a proposal that has been on the table for months – just like the proposal of the responsible Minister for Animal Protection, Johannes Rauch, has been on the table for months. The latter states that the ban on fully slatted floors for pigs should be brought forward to 2030. At the beginning of January, the Constitutional Court annulled the originally established transition period for the introduction of the ban until 2040 as too long and objectively unjustified.
Criticism of Rauch’s ‘ideological trench warfare’
As Nemecek explains, there are now enormous concerns among constitutional lawyers who say Minister Rauch’s draft is just as unconstitutional. “We are looking for a legally compliant solution for our pig farmers and are in contact with the country’s top lawyers and will present expertise on this in the coming weeks.” It is a pity for Rauch, although he knows that his proposal will not hold up constitutionally, “an ideological trench war is being fought on the backs of our pig farmers and therefore also on the backs of the security of the pork supply.”
“Incredible derailment” in parliament
Nemecek describes Neos mandate Gerald Loacker’s speech in parliament as an “incredible derailment”. He spoke about the “stupid tenderloin” that caused the ÖVP not to agree to the Mercosur free trade agreement. “It must be said that any of us can have a bad day. But what did Deputy Loacker do? The next day he added even more and said that he would certainly not apologize.” The behavior of NEOS boss Beate Meinl-Reisinger also went too far when she “also made fun of our farmers with her laughter.”
This topic has been brought up incredibly often by farmers lately. Nemecekt says: “Our products are of high quality, our beef is not stupid and our cheese is not inferior.”
We explain what Austria is currently dealing with: the latest news conversations with politicians and experts.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
