The farmers’ association is pushing for a rapid expansion of the state animal husbandry logo, which is initially to start with pork in the supermarket. “It is positive that the law opens the door. But that can only be a prelude,” said Farmers’ President Joachim Rukwied of the German Press Agency before the German Farmers’ Day in Münster. The marking is still “very incomplete”. An indication of origin is also missing. The association pointed to a “dramatic” development in pig farming. The number of pigs kept has fallen to its lowest level since 1990.
As of May 3, 2023, there were still 20.7 million pigs, as the Federal Statistical Office announced on Monday in Wiesbaden. That was a decrease of 7.3 percent or 1.62 million animals in one year. In a two-year comparison, the population even decreased by 16.1 percent or 3.99 million animals. This continues the downward trend. The consumption of pork in Germany has been falling for years. The number of pig farms also fell further to 15,900 farms – that was 10.8 percent less than a year earlier.
Downtrend warning
Rukwied warned of a further downtrend. The stock shrank by 5.8 million animals from 2012 to 2022, during the same period Spain increased by more than seven million animals. “That means we are shifting to regions that don’t keep animals to our standards. We also need animal husbandry for the circular economy in order to have organic fertilizers available.”
Regarding the state husbandry logo, which should start with pork, the farmer president said that system catering, canteens, processed goods, sausage and sow husbandry are not yet included. “Everything has to be set in motion as soon as possible, otherwise it won’t be as successful as you’d hope.” In mid-June, the Bundestag passed a law by Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir (Greens), which stipulates that domestic products must be labeled from 2024. A system with five husbandry categories during fattening is planned, from the legal minimum standard to organic. The coalition has made it clear that extensions to sausage and gastronomy should be tackled, as well as to sows and piglets.
The large supermarket chains have had a voluntary logo for a long time. Rukwied said the system, which is supported by an industry initiative, is “the only indicator that really has great relevance in the market”. The “Initiative Animal Welfare” must not be endangered, it has already brought more animal welfare into the stables relatively broadly. Rukwied said of the initially planned funding of one billion euros for the conversion of stables to better forms of husbandry: “It’s better than nothing, but far, far too little.”
Debate on land use
With regard to agricultural soils, the Farmers’ President warned: “We are seeing increasing land use, for example for residential and commercial areas. In addition, land is also being used for solar energy.” This creates additional surface pressure. “Therefore, the order in photovoltaics must be clear: roofs first, then parking spaces, then conversion areas, then – if needed – poor agricultural areas. And you should keep your hands off the better ones.” But there are farmers who deal with photovoltaics when they have low-yield areas for cultivation.
Regarding the prospects for new drives and electric mobility in agriculture, Rukwied said: “I assume that diesel will remain the drive for the foreseeable future, also because we use machines with larger engines.” Of course, there are also the first tractors with electric motors, for example tractors for orchards or vineyards, which do not run on large areas all day. “This may also be a solution for tractors that mainly drive around the farm. There are now also methane drives, but none of that is really practical yet.”
