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Turkeys in a fattening house (2010): Özdemir plans stricter regulations
Photo: Carmen Jaspersen/ dpa
Turkey farmers could face significantly stricter requirements.
As the "Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung" (NOZ) reported, citing a key issues paper by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture by Cem Özdemir (Greens), turkeys are to be included in the Animal Welfare Livestock Ordinance, in which they have so far been absent.
The ordinance summarizes all animal welfare regulations and minimum requirements for livestock keepers.
The ministry's plans would mean that significantly fewer animals could be kept in each stable in the future.
Poultry farmer lobby speaks of "dream dancing"
According to "NOZ", the cornerstones provide for around 40 kilograms of live weight to be kept per square meter of stable area, which corresponds to around 1.9 male animals.
A voluntary commitment by the economy currently allows a maximum of 58 kilos live weight or three animals per square meter.
The managing director of the Central Association of the Poultry Industry (ZDG), Wolfgang Schleicher, described the plans as a "reality-denying dream dance".
If the cornerstones were not adjusted, the association would defend itself legally.
In other EU countries, a so-called stocking density of up to 70 kilograms live weight is permitted.
The plans from Özdemir's ministry herald the end of German turkey farming, said Schleicher.
The meat is then imported cheaper from abroad.
The Animal Welfare Association, on the other hand, demanded that not only the housing conditions be improved.
The routine beak trimming of turkey chicks must also be stopped.
"Anyone who can only keep turkeys by painfully trimming their beaks should no longer be permitted," said association president Thomas Schröder of the "NOZ".
»The housing system that violates animal welfare should be prohibited and not allowed in a transition.«