We welcome Federal Minister Özdemir's proposal for bilateral agreements on animal transport - implementation remains questionable

Federal Minister Cem Özdemir has submitted a key issues paper to the EU Commission in which he once again emphasises that Germany wants to put an end to transport to third countries that violates animal welfare. The head of the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) proposes bilateral or multilateral agreements between Germany and third countries. They should ensure that countries that import animals from Germany comply with certain animal welfare standards during transport, husbandry and slaughter. These animal welfare standards would also have to be enshrined in the legislation of the respective country and would be mandatory.

We think the idea is a good one, but we wonder how it would be implemented. Cem Özdemir cites the terrible tragedy at the Turkish border as one of the reasons for his proposed paper. We assume that this misery would not have been prevented even with a bilateral agreement. Turkey has a good animal protection law - unfortunately it is not being implemented.

In principle, we welcome the BMEL's proposal. However, it comes too late for the end of the current legislative period. It is important that German voters elect parties on 23 February that stand up for animal welfare - so that the key points are also implemented. A good overview of the animal-friendliness of the parties can be found at Tierpolitik.org.