Document type: article published in Fleischwirtschaft
Author: Clair Siegfried
Preview: Newly reignited discussion surrounding an animal welfare levy has garnered mixed reactions from key poultry and pig farming associations. [...] German poultry industry (ZDG) President Friedrich-Otto Ripke cautioned against hasty decisions, emphasizing that the animal welfare levy could be crucial if introduced correctly. Ripke asserted that it should not be transformed into a high meat tax aimed at drastically reducing meat consumption, as this would be counterproductive and perceived as a political move against agriculture. Instead, he suggested that a targeted animal welfare levy should be part of a broader framework aligned with the Borchert recommendations.
The Borchert Commission
The Borchert Commission [...] was established in 2019 by Federal Agriculture Minister Julia Klöckner to develop options for reorganising livestock farming. Chaired by former Minister of Agriculture Jochen Borchert, the commission has made recommendations for transforming livestock farming, aiming for a substantial increase in animal welfare levels with minimal environmental impact. The commission's recommendations have been widely accepted in the agricultural policy space. However, in August 2023, the group ended its work, stating that the political conditions for successfully implementing the recommendations had not been created by the past or the current government. The draft for the federal budget 2024 also did not show the necessary breakthrough, criticised the group. According to Ripke, the Borchert Commission had conducted concrete cost calculations for the proposed animal welfare levy, aiming to establish an animal welfare premium financed from the levy. This premium, essential for providing animal keepers with planning security, should be guaranteed for a substantial period, ranging from 15 to 20 years. This, Ripke argued, is necessary to encourage investments in stable conversions and new constructions, aligning with state requirements.
Concerns about lack of concept
The ISN echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the importance of defining who will receive the collected funds and ensuring accessibility for conventional animal keepers. The current lack of an overall concept has left the current discussion resembling a "tranquilliser pill," according to the ISN. While acknowledging the necessity of supportive financing models for the transformation of animal husbandry, the ISN voiced concerns about the absence of a concrete plan. The ISN particularly emphasised the need for clarity on how funds will reach pig farmers [...].
