2024-01-23 09:27:22

If the transition period is shortened, there will no longer be any time for conversion if the decision is made following 2028, as currently provided for by law but repealed by the Constitutional Court from June 1, 2025

Vienna (OTS) – The Constitutional Court (VfGH) has clearly lifted the transition period for converting the current fully slatted floor systems for pigs because it is too long. Unfortunately, for formal reasons, the VfGH has not decided on the content of the new fully slatted floor system, which already applies to new buildings and conversions, nor on the new minimum standard, which will mean the end of fully slatted floors from 2028. The latter has not yet been determined by the government. The VfGH has ruled that the following passages in the Animal Protection Act will no longer apply from June 1, 2025:

§ 44 (29) The new fully slatted floor system applies immediately to new buildings and conversions, transition period until 2040 for all companies § 44 (30) A new minimum standard, which is not a fully slatted floor system, must be developed by 2028, which will apply from January 1, 2040 § 44 (31) applies to all companies. The new fully slatted floor system must be converted to the new minimum standard as per paragraph (30) 23 years following initial approval. § 44 (32) The new minimum standard applies immediately to new buildings and conversions from the time it is determined

The fully slatted floor in pig farming has not yet been abolished. The new housing system, which now applies to all new buildings and conversions, is also a fully slatted floor system, the entire floor of the pen is criss-crossed by sharp-edged concrete slits and there is no straw bedding, even if the pig industry is constantly trying to confuse the public regarding this (cf. Chart). The VfGH has now also canceled the switch to this new fully slatted floor system, as well as the time until 2028 from which the new minimum standard, which should really be an end to the fully slatted floor, will be set. So in a sense we are back at the beginning of the discussion regarding fully slatted floors. The VGT is therefore calling on the government to immediately set a new minimum standard that represents a real end to the fully slatted floor, in which the pigs have a deeply littered lying area, and which must be implemented for all farms in the next few years. If the government does not act, all pig farms must have at least the new fully slatted floor system installed from June 1, 2025. Therefore, from an animal welfare perspective, there is fire on the roof!

VGT chairman DDr. Martin Balluch comments: “Once once more, it’s very clear: the new support system, which now applies to new buildings and conversions, IS ALSO A FULL SLAFT FLOOR. The introduction of this system is just a ploy by the pig industry to confuse people and make them believe that full slatted flooring is an end. During the negotiations with the government, we were put off until 2028, when the real end of fully slatted floors should be announced. It is clear to see that the representatives of the animal industry are speculating that this will not happen at all. The VfGH wants everything to be done by June 1, 2025. In between there will be a new election and the establishment of a new government. Therefore, the new minimum standard that implements the announced end of fully slatted floors must now be set by the last parliamentary plenary day, probably at the beginning of July. We know enough regarding the impacts of all pig farming systems to make this decision now. The ban on fully slatted floors must no longer be delayed!”

Questions & Contact:

VGT – ASSOCIATION AGAINST ANIMAL FACTORIES
DDr. Martin Balluch
Campaign management
01 929 14 98
[email protected]

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