Urges Farmers' Leader for Swift Pig Population Decrease
In a recent statement, Joachim Rukwied, the President of the German Farmers' Association, has highlighted the urgent need for action to address the growing crisis in the pig farming industry. The industry is currently facing a significant backlog of animals in stables, a consequence of the African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak and the ongoing pandemic.
Rukwied has emphasized the necessity of compromise to ensure animal welfare while addressing the issue. He has called for all possibilities to be utilized to alleviate the so-called pig backlog in stables, including the consideration of weekend work in German slaughterhouses.
The ASF outbreak has led to a massive price drop of 20 cents per kilogram of meat. This drop, combined with the economic situation already tense due to the pandemic, has put a significant strain on the industry. The prices for piglets have fallen from 12 euros to 27 euros per animal, making it difficult for businesses to sustain operations.
Rukwied has reiterated the urgency of reducing the pig backlog, stating that the current prices are unsustainable. He has warned that at the current prices, businesses are writing red numbers with every pig or piglet they sell. The Interest Group of German Pig Farmers had previously warned that the number of pigs that cannot be slaughtered on schedule could reach one million by Christmas.
The economic situation has been further complicated by the closure of several slaughterhouses due to coronavirus cases among workers. The Landkreis Emsland ordered the closure of the Weidemark slaughterhouse in Sögel, which belongs to the Tönnies group, due to workers testing positive for the coronavirus. Tönnies is contesting this decision legally.
Other pig farming companies have also reduced their slaughter numbers due to the pandemic. The most notable closure is the Tönnies slaughterhouse in Rheda-Wiedenbrück, Germany, which was ordered to close due to coronavirus cases among workers.
Rukwied continues to advocate for weekend work in German slaughterhouses to address the backlog. He believes that this measure, along with other solutions, could help alleviate the current crisis in the industry.
Despite the challenges, Rukwied maintains that compromise remains necessary to ensure animal welfare. He emphasizes the importance of finding a balance between the needs of the industry and the welfare of the animals.
In these difficult times, the German pig farming industry is seeking solutions to overcome the challenges posed by the ASF outbreak, the pandemic, and the resulting economic crisis. With Rukwied's calls for action, there is hope that a solution can be found to alleviate the current crisis and ensure the future of the industry.
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