Bundestag event – Federal Commissioner for Animal Welfare

Background information on the event Moderated panel discussion on the creation of the office of a Federal Animal Welfare Officer.

Approx. 20 invited representatives of the public / experts / journalists
Date: 13.12.2022
Location: Bundestag Berlin, Paul-Löbe-Haus
Time: 6-8 p.m., followed by refreshments and discussion
Members of the panel:
 
Zoe Mayer, Member of the German Bundestag, Bündnis 90/Die Grünen
Luiza Licina-Bode, Member of the German Bundestag (SPD)
Astrid Damerow, Member of the German Bundestag (CDU/CSU)
Carina Konrad, Member of the German Bundestag (FDP)
Presenter Tanja Busse
 
Short impulses by Prof. Svenja Ahlhaus, University of Münster, Dr. Barbara Felde, German Legal Society for Animal Welfare Law, judge, Dr. Claudia Preuss-Ueberschär, Head of the Animal Welfare Network Kräfte Bündeln
Event concept and organization: Dr. Philipp von Gall, Jana Gandert

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1. results of the discussion

  • Independence: The demand for the independence of the office was met with unreserved approval. This means that the Federal Animal Welfare Commissioner is only obligated to serve the needs and interests of animals, independent from any party or government.
  • The work of the commissioner can be understood as the political representation of animals, according to the current state of political science research. Simultaneously, animals can be represented by elected representatives and NGOs
  • Separation of the work of the Federal Commissioner from the Animal Welfare Division in the Ministry of Agriculture is necessary. There needs to be clarity and transparency regarding tasks and areas of responsibility.
  • A comprehensive right of action was not met with full approval. As an alternative, a veto right and effective public outreach were proposed.
  • Permanent seat on state commissions: The commissioner should be given a permanent seat on all relevant state commissions, such as the Animal Welfare Commission in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture.

2. potential of the new office

The potential of the new office of a federal commissioner arises from various possibilities for intervention in the political decision-making process:
 
Intervention possibilities of a federal animal welfare commissioner.

     

  • Legislative: Enable initiatives to address injustices through (amended) federal laws
  • Executive: Enable initiatives to address injustices through (amended) federal ordinances
  • Veto in the decision-making process: In the event of serious consequences or violations of the state objective of animal welfare, it should be possible to subject such laws to reconsideration via a right of veto
  • Option of taking legal action to have federal decisions on animal welfare reviewed by the courts as a last resort
  • Public outreach: own budget for PR, but also involvement in federal information campaigns concerning animal welfare / animals
  • Research/clarification of facts: Funds for expert opinions and a say in the development of funding priorities for state research funding.

3. conclusion and recommendations

  • The person selected must have knowledge of political and legal animal protection and the various interests of animals, as well as political skills and intuition.
  • The federal government should explicitly determine in the mandate that the commissioner should a)uncover the range of legal and ethical grievances in animal protection and b) show the range of options for reducing these injustices from the animals’ point of view, even if this is economic or political should contradict interests or common practices.
  • The federal government should seize the opportunity to establish the office of a federal Commissioner for Animal Welfare as an explicit form of political representation for animals. This strengthens the state objective of animal welfare and raises it to a new level of institutional clarity.