GERMANY

Germany: Associations are calling for a national special program for sow farming

The German Cattle and Pig Breeders' Association (BRS), the German Farmers' Association (DBV), the German Raiffeisen Association (DRV), and the ISN (German Pig Producers' Association) are calling for a national special program for sow husbandry. Without targeted financial support, a dramatic structural change and the loss of significant parts of German piglet production are imminent.

Posted on Apr 22 ,00:25

Animal welfare standards far exceed EU levels

With the amendment to the Animal Welfare Ordinance for Livestock Husbandry of July 3, 2020, sow farmers in Germany are required to convert their breeding areas to full group housing with at least 5 m² of space per sow by February 9, 2029. In farrowing areas, from February 9, 2036, free-range pens with a minimum area of 6.5 m² and a maximum confinement period of five days are mandatory. Both requirements significantly exceed the standards of major European competitors.

Approximately €4,000 investment required per sow – without any increase in revenue.

The necessary conversions cost an average of around €4,000 per sow. Medium-sized farms thus face individual investments of approximately €1.5 million – without any prospect of increased revenue or efficiency gains. Often, implementation can only be achieved by reducing the herd size, which directly contradicts the government's goal of food security. Without support, piglet production risks migrating abroad.

Key points for a special program

The four associations are calling for a unified national program with the following core elements:

• Access for all pig farmers: Regardless of company type, income, stocking density and size restrictions.
• No upper limit on the number of existing buildings: An expansion of the existing building stock must not be excluded when claiming funding.
• 200 million euros annually until 2036: With the option of carrying over remaining annual budgets to subsequent years.
• Funding rate of approximately 50%: With the option of tiered rates depending on the investment volume.
• Purpose of funding: Structural preservation: No further additional requirements; flexible implementation of individual husbandry areas is possible.
• Simple application process: A low-bureaucracy procedure that can also be implemented at short notice.

Without a special program, structural collapse is imminent.

The four associations emphasize that a patchwork of different state subsidies would be ineffective. Only a national special program ensures planning certainty and prevents Germany's go-it-alone approach to animal welfare requirements from driving a massive structural break in sow farming.

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