VfGH judgment catapults pig farm into the 21st century!

VfGH judgment catapults pig farm into the 21st century!

The Austrian Constitutional Court (VfGH) has taken a significant step in animal welfare law by rejecting an application from farmers against the upcoming ban on full column soils in pig farming. This decision, which was announced on Monday in an official announcement by the VfGH, states that the ban will come into force on June 1, 2025, provided that the legislature does not develop a new regulation until then. The farmers had argued that their economic freedom and the right to property were violated, but the VfGH found that the contested laws would not currently impair the rights of applicants, such as Volksblatt reported.

judgment driver for reforms

The VfGH's judgment caused a sensation in industry policy and is regarded as a turning point in pig farming. The Court had considered the previously defined period of 17 years to the ban as inappropriate, which indicates growing pressure towards animal welfare practices. Burgenland governor Hans Peter Doskozil expressed that this decision promotes both animal welfare and the responsible agriculture and praised the success of his state government on this matter. The prohibition now becomes a reality, which, in addition to the positive animal welfare aspects, also causes concern about economic consequences among the pig farmers, since they have to implement the new requirements faster than planned, such as Fleischundco noticed.

The reactions to the VfGH decision are mixed: While many animal rights activists and supporters of a more animal-friendly agriculture cheer, industry representatives express concerns about economic stress. Agriculture Minister Norbert Tettschnig emphasized the importance of security of supply with domestic products and the economic stability of the farms. The challenges that the pig chemes face - in particular the high investment costs for the changeover to new forms of husbandry - are in a clear focus. A decline in the number of pig farms and the pork is already evident, which indicates the need for a closed solution in order to support domestic agriculture and at the same time to make animal protection progress.