Straw instead of columns! Animal welfare for pigs in danger!

Straw instead of columns! Animal welfare for pigs in danger!

Laimgrubengasse 10, 1060 Wien, Österreich - A clear call to action comes from the animal welfare organization VGT: "Pigs need straw!" According to the organization, it is high time that the Austrian government, especially Minister of Agriculture, will act inapandery and improve the conditions for pig farming. By June 1, 2025, a special regulation must be included in the Animal Welfare Act, which guarantees sufficient straw scattering. Otherwise, constitutional problems could arise, since previous lawsuits against the government have failed on this matter, such as VGT.AT reported.

In order to draw attention to the urgency of the situation, the VGT staged a creative protest today: an animal rights activist with homicide mask and a cuddly pig was laid out on the Ballhausplatz, while an alarm clock showed five to twelve. "Time is forced, but that shouldn't mean that there is only a short-term solution," said VGT chairman GDR. Martin Balluch. Animal protection legislation not only provides for a transition period until 2040, but also the different types of full column floors that are harmful to the animals must be viewed.

criticism of the coalition

The talks about a new government coalition between the ÖVP and SPÖ have stalled after the previous FPÖ-ÖVP coalition failed. The VGT fears that the negotiations will be neglected in the HAT and the pigs continue to suffer from fully split floors under the unsustainable conditions. In view of the time pressure, there is only a short period of three months to appoint a Minister for Animal Welfare and to reform the Animal Welfare Act. Balluch warns that the pigs could be forgotten on the full column floor if no clear steps are taken. How "https://www.ots.at/presseaus-sung/ots_20250312_ots009/vgt-minminter-bitte-bitte-bitte-bitte-die--gsche--schwine-stroh.

The demand for mandatory straw scattering is essential for VGT. A comparable proposal, already favored by the pig industry and the ÖVP, does not offer an adequate solution and is classified as unconstitutional. It remains to be seen whether the new government takes pressure seriously and takes sustainable measures to guarantee the well -being of the animals.