Federal Minister of Agriculture Cem Özdemir (Greens) has campaigned for the preservation of animal husbandry and meat production in Germany. “Perhaps a little surprising from the mouth of a vegetarian: I’m also concerned that we will continue to have good meat from Germany in the future,” said Özdemir on Monday at the start of the Greens board meeting in Laatzen near Hanover.
“Less meat, certainly less animals,” he said. The number of animals that a farmer keeps must be adjusted to the area. Corresponding specifications already exist in organic farming.
“But I also say: My vegetables need animals,” says Özdemir. If Germany wants to use less mineral fertilizer, for which gas from Russia is used, it needs so-called farm fertilizer, which includes liquid manure and manure. Animal husbandry is also part of the circular economy in agriculture.
“Sometimes I get fired on from two sides,” said Özdemir. “Part of the vegan fraction says: What? Away with animal husbandry! I respect the decision of everyone and every woman, everyone can decide that for themselves. But we will certainly not be able to make a national policy that renounces animal husbandry.” It needs a different animal husbandry, but not the renunciation of it.
Animal husbandry consumes more resources and generates more greenhouse gases per kilogram of meat than the production of fruit or vegetables. The climate-damaging gas methane is produced particularly in cattle farming.
