Minister Rainer Completely Ignores Animal Protection

This is also evidenced by the press paper “100 Days of Change of Course” from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, in which the words “animal protection” or “animal welfare” do not appear at all.

The Federal Minister has done nothing for animal protection in the first 100 days of the federal government — on the contrary, comments Thomas Schröder, President of the German Animal Welfare Federation. By his own account, Rainer makes policy for agriculture and the food industry — but not for animals. Yet by virtue of his office he is also Minister for Animal Protection. We still hope that the Federal Minister will approach us. In recent years, our engagement in commissions and working groups has demonstrated that we seek dialogue and want solutions for greater animal protection — not battles.

Shortly after taking office, the butcher Alois Rainer (CSU) announced that he would not uphold the ban on the animal-welfare-incompatible tethered housing of cattle from 2035 onwards, as the previous government had planned. Despite massive criticism from animal and species protection advocates, the initiative from the coalition agreement between the CDU/CSU and SPD to incorporate the wolf into hunting law was nonetheless set in motion — even though such a course cannot be scientifically justified and will not help livestock farming.

Instead of abolishing or at least revising the state livestock labelling scheme — because it does not bring any animal into better husbandry conditions — Rainer has extended the transitional regulation until March 2026.

The dismissal of the incumbent, politically independent Federal Animal Welfare Commissioner Ariane Kari must also be seen as a clear signal against the efforts made in animal welfare to date. Federal Animal Welfare Commissioner Ariane Kari understood her mandate as giving “animals a voice.” Now her contract is ending — against her will. “So far, it looks as though the clocks on animal welfare are being turned back under Rainer,” says Schröder. “But it is not too late yet. Minister, as Animal Welfare Minister, you bear a very particular obligation to the constitutional objective of animal welfare.”

Federal Animal Welfare Commissioner Ariane Kari has announced on her social media channels that she will not continue to hold the position during the next legislative term. Thomas Schröder, President of the German Animal Welfare Federation, comments:

The non-renewal of Ariane Kari’s contract as Federal Animal Welfare Commissioner amounts to a political earthquake in animal welfare policy. We deeply regret this personnel decision! Ariane Kari fulfilled the role with outstanding professional and political competence. It is a shame that Federal Minister Rainer is not retaining this expertise. It remains to be seen whether he will demonstrate political courage in filling the position anew, or whether he will select a politically convenient individual. One thing, however, is a fact: with this decision, the Federal Minister has squandered the trust of animal welfare advocates. The animal welfare community is not a fringe group — it represents large segments of society. Rainer would be well advised to take the concerns of animal welfare seriously.

You can help all animals and our planet with compassion. Choose empathy on your plate and in your glass. Go vegan.