VfGH lifts the transition period for phasing out fully slatted floors by 2040
Vienna (OTS) – “The VfGH ruling is a victory for animal protection. It is now clear that the 2040 deadline will not meet. Determining an end to fully slatted flooring was a hard-fought success. “We are now very pleased that the decision of the Constitutional Court makes it possible to end fully slatted floors earlier,” said agriculture spokeswoman Olga Voglauer and animal protection spokeswoman for the Green Party, Faika El-Nagashi, welcoming the decision of the Constitutional Court.
The fixed end to fully slatted floors was a big step towards higher animal welfare standards in the 2022 negotiations based on the demands of the animal protection people’s petition, which was met with great resistance at the time. “We Greens have always advocated for an earlier expiry date for fully slatted floors. The transition period until 2040 was a compromise. “With the VfGH’s decision, higher minimum standards and a better quality of life for farm animals are within reach,” emphasizes Voglauer.
“We know that keeping animals on fully slatted floors causes animal suffering and disease. The sooner we can end this form of husbandry, the better,” explains El-Nagashi.
“Pig farming companies have demonstrated a lot of innovation in recent years and have also committed themselves to greater animal welfare. Now it’s about guaranteeing planning security and quickly negotiating a new deadline. The welfare of the animals must be brought to the fore – better living conditions for our animals can be implemented, as shown by numerous companies that have already established better husbandry methods. With courage, innovation and appropriate funding, a quicker switch to animal welfare-friendly pig farming is also economically feasible,” says Voglauer.
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