The animal protection law planned by the government parties has been widely criticized. The “Krone” has now invited the two responsible ministers and discussed with them.
After Agriculture Minister Norbert Totschnig refused to attend the first interview with me as an animal welfare officer for the newspaper “Kronen” (we reported), two ministers now had an appointment in the press building in the Muthgasse in Vienna: Totschnig and Johannes Rauch, in his department animal welfare is declining. One thing straight away: lots of political phrases and little substance.
The subject of the meeting was clearly defined: criticism of the animal protection package of the ÖVP and the Greens. When asked whether politicians also have the task of listening to the wishes of the population – and that also applies to animal welfare – Rauch answers: “We have made important improvements in animal transport and the Animal Welfare Act”. But this statement stands in stark contrast to what NGOs, opposition parties and experts have long been saying about the proposed law.
bad tactics
Overall, there are some deviations worth questioning about the novella! In May, before the end of the assessment period, the government parties submitted an initiative motion to the House of Representatives. This should have been decided this Wednesday – if the SPÖ and the “Krone” had not shown the rather undemocratic approach.
“The goal was to get through the bad draft as quickly as possible – to the absolute detriment of the animals,” said SPÖ’s Dietmar Keck. Not a single point of criticism is accepted by the Minister of Agriculture Totschnig!
Animal transport can never be animal welfare
Example of long-distance transport of calves: These animals can be transported across the continents as early as three weeks of age – if the governing parties so wish. There is also no explicit export ban to Africa and the Middle East.
Totschnig: “I see this as the first step that could ensure a gradual further development of animal welfare during transport in 2025.” Unbelievable, and absurd in itself to even use the word animal welfare in animal transports that last for days.
timid
Totschnig and Rauch were reluctant to request changes. But when asked if there could be further improvements to the submitted design, they at least heard: “Not at this table.” Minister Rauch was annoyed that he had already said that he will form an alliance with his German counterpart Cem Özdemir to achieve the same standards for animals across Europe.
A good step for the future
But now it also takes courage and commitment to our native animals! For the Greens, the animal protection amendment is not unimportant! Because in the next elections they – as a party considered close to nature – will be measured by that. The already committed Animal Welfare Committee, which will take place in June, will certainly tip the scales and give hope!
The policy is now popular. These six main topics were central to the meeting with the ministers in the “Krone”:
Permanent tethering
Banned since 2005 – with many exceptions. It is unimaginable that the ÖVP and the Greens want to continue to allow this barbaric form of livestock farming until 2030. These animals are trapped 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and unable to move.
Cruel breeding in dogs
Minister Rauch immediately promised to bring about huge improvements in this area! In the future, breeders should be licensed. In addition, strict health inspections must apply to breeding animals.
Labeling obligation for landlords
If more meat from Austria were processed in the catering industry, our farmers would benefit and long transports would be avoided. Minister Norbert Totschnig promises to “step on the accelerator” – hopefully not just lip service.
fully slatted floors
Hardly any subject warms the spirits as much as the suffering of the pigs. The proposals in the law are anything but an improvement. Livestock, which also makes a living on concrete columns, is completely disregarded in the design. When asked about this, the two ministers struggled with words.
calves transport
Here too, there is massive cause for criticism! Calves can be transported for days from the third week of life – if they still have a strong sucking reflex. Calls for a ban on these ‘baby’ shipments to Africa and the Middle East have also been ignored.
More information for consumers
With every purchase we place a production order. If we resort to “animal welfare products”, more animals will be kept under better conditions in the future. Attributing the buck only to the farmers is the wrong approach.
Source: Krone
I’m an experienced news author and editor based in New York City. I specialize in covering healthcare news stories for Today Times Live, helping to keep readers informed on the latest developments related to the industry. I have a deep understanding of medical topics, including emerging treatments and drugs, the changing laws that regulate healthcare providers, and other matters that affect public health.
