Criticism of direct payments: Anyone who cares about animal welfare pays more

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They had built animal-friendly stables and invested their family property in them – and were now stuck with the costs. This was reported by several farmers who participated in farmers’ protests in recent weeks.

This also applies to Beat Schwab, a pig farmer from Niederbipp BE, co-initiator of the ‘vigils’ of Bernese farmers. He criticizes: “Everyone wants animal welfare, but no one wants to pay for it.” By ‘nobody’ he means: neither the federal government, nor the retailers, nor the customers in the store.

Now a new report from the Federal Council shows that the problem does not actually only affect individual companies, on the contrary. Companies that voluntarily participate in federal animal welfare programs and meet stricter requirements often lose money as a result.

The reason: federal contributions are not enough to cover the additional costs. The premium that retailers pay for ‘welfare animal meat’ often does not cover the costs. According to the report, the companies did not expect to be left with costs.

Stable air is often contaminated with pollutants

This year the problem is going to be even worse. Retailers recently reduced premiums due to “decreasing demand.” And as part of its savings program, the federal government has reduced animal welfare contributions by 15 million francs from January 2024: an average cow receives only 75 instead of 90 francs per year.

Companies participating in the ‘out’ animal welfare program are affected. This is intended to create an incentive to convert stables so that, for example, pigs, cows and chickens get more fresh air – so part of the stable must be open at the top. The air in the stable is often heavily contaminated with pollutants.

There is a lack of sunlight and therefore of the important vitamin D, and the animals can hardly move. The result is diseases that require treatment with antibiotics. It also concerns ‘particularly animal-friendly’ stables in which the animals can lie comfortably and move between different spaces.

The Federal Office sees no need for action

The responsible federal agency for agriculture sees no need for action. The report found that companies that cost less to implement the requirements benefit more from direct payments. Nevertheless, the purpose of the animal welfare programs is met because sufficient companies participate.

Recently, about 80 percent participated in the program for ‘particularly animal-friendly’ stables, and about 65 percent dropped out of the animal welfare program.

Swissmilk, the Swiss milk production association, criticizes that many companies have bowed to political pressure and made expensive investments in stables. Now they would be punished for this by politicians.

Farmer Urs Haslebacher from Lohnstorf BE also told the ‘Swiss farmer’ that society wanted animal-friendly stables, but now politics is stabbing the companies in the back.

Source:Blick