Slaughterhouse scandals – After “Krone” pressure, controls are tightened

“The greatness and moral progress of a nation can be measured by the way it treats its animals.” We should all internalize this quote from Nobel Peace Prize winner Mahatma Gandhi – consumers, farmers and those responsible in commerce and politics. After all, it is society that determines how strict laws and regulations are drawn up for the welfare of the animals.

series of scandals
Internationally, Austria has very high animal welfare standards. Still, disturbing images of abused farm animals continue to emerge. Whether in slaughterhouses, during animal transport or directly from the stables. Just a few months ago, it was the “Krone” that helped to get a case of extremely poor livestock farming in Lower Austria sanctioned by the authorities.

Sad but true
Often it is animal protection organizations that detect such animal abuse and ensure that it is discussed at all. Actually, the authorities and the responsible services should take over this part. The AMA, which guarantees high Austrian quality with its seal of approval, also received a lot of criticism. Recently, however, it has often been companies that prided themselves on this quality mark and yet were confronted with violations of animal welfare.

Geno offensive
The confidence of the Austrians in the quality mark is shaky. This is precisely why Christina Mutenthaler, the new and very committed head of the AMA since January, takes immediate action: “Such abuses are shocking and unacceptable. Practices that are incompatible with respect for animals are unacceptable,” said the manager.

vote from the trade
Billa boss Marcel Haraszti also counts on more control to prevent complaints as much as possible and not to lose people’s confidence in Austrian agriculture. “Everyone involved in the value chain must make improvements,” Haraszti appealed to politicians. Apparently it takes a scandal for anything to happen.

It’s in everyone’s hands
But not only farmers, transporters, slaughterhouse operators or retailers have an obligation, consumers do too. Because every time we reach for the shelf, we place a production order. One thing is a fact: only one third of the companies fall under the AMA quality mark. The “rest” is hardly checked! Minister Johannes Rauch (Greens) held a summit on this matter months ago, but nothing has happened yet.

Only a matter of time
Sad but true, the next animal welfare scandal – in the barn, during transport or in the slaughterhouse – is unfortunately not long in coming. But then politicians finally have to react!

The daily suffering of animal transports
Hunger, thirst, heat and broken limbs. Each year, more than 1.5 billion poultry and more than 49 million live cattle, pigs, sheep and goats endure these rigors in transit. They cover hundreds of kilometers across borders within the EU and to and from third countries. The suffering of the animals is enormous. Violations are also subject to weak penalties. Due to the lack of controls and sanctions, the already far too lax EU regulations on the protection of animals during transport are systematically violated.

Control is missing
The few rest periods and other weak specifications for transport are all too often ignored. Organic farmer and green MEP Thomas Waitz has this issue high on his agenda. His short documentary “Animal Suffering on Wheels” shows the brutal realities of the global agricultural system and the importance of strong animal welfare policies. In the short film, Waitz calls on the Commission to come forward with a proposal for a new animal transport regulation as soon as possible – but no later than the end of September – as promised by Commissioner Stella Kyriakides.

Tracking the truck
In the meantime, the animal transport regulation in force at that time must actually be implemented. Stricter controls and higher penalties are needed. However, the future animal transport regulation should state: shorter transport times – maximum eight hours transport regardless of the means of transport. A freeze on live animal shipments from the EU to third countries as long as compliance with EU animal welfare rules cannot be guaranteed there. No transport of unweaned calves, ie calves dependent on replacement milk, or pregnant animals in the last third of gestation.

EU as a latecomer
Eva Rosenberg, boss of Four Paws, also sees the need for politics: “New Zealand recently passed an animal welfare law that will ban all transport of live animals from New Zealand from April 30, 2023. Australia is already moving in this direction. So we ask ourselves: where is the EU? This year she has the opportunity to significantly improve the Animal Transport Regulation and show that not only animal welfare is important to her, but also to the countless EU citizens who are in favor of an end to animal cruelty.”

“The consumer does have influence” – Interview with Hannes Royer, mountain farmer and chairman of “Land creates life”:

“crown”:What do you think of the animal welfare scandals?
Hannes Royer: Shocking, but 99 percent of farmers are very conscientious about taking care of their animals. Unfortunately, the remaining 1 percent is where public attention is focused. These black sheep make life difficult for the rest of us, and we suffer from prejudice even as we adhere to legal standards.

Where can you start, what do farmers need to be able to trade better?
Demand determines supply – and right now it seems that 42 percent of meat in supermarkets is bought on sale. So consumers want the cheapest of the cheapest, but at the same time they want the products to be produced to the highest standard. That is no excuse for breaking the law. Still, I am convinced that fewer mistakes are made when there is less price pressure.

Can consumers be made responsible for animal welfare?
The consumer is not responsible for animal welfare, that is clearly the farmer. But it does have a certain influence on how it is produced. Who buys only the cheapest, certainly does not promote high-quality production.