The planned appointment of Silvia Breher, Parliamentary State Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (CDU), as the new Federal Animal Welfare Officer is drawing criticism from opposition parties. Representatives from both The Left and Green parties have expressed concerns that Breher will prioritize government policy over animal welfare interests, as reported by Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland.
Ina Latendorf, a politician for The Left, described the appointment as a “step backwards” arguing that the issue lies less with Breher herself and more with the perceived devaluation of the office. She contends that combining the role of Federal Animal Welfare Officer with that of a Parliamentary State Secretary within the agricultural ministry unnecessarily strains resources and diminishes the scope of national animal welfare efforts.
Latendorf further indicated that the direct linkage of the Federal Animal Welfare Officer to the ministry raises questions about independence in animal welfare matters. She emphasized the importance of a strong, independent voice for animal welfare, particularly considering the challenges posed by climate change, environmental degradation and the significant unresolved issues facing animal protection.
Within the context of the EU’s Nature Restoration Law, Latendorf highlighted the crucial connection between animal health, animal welfare and the integration of economic viability with biodiversity and ecological standards. She believes an independent Federal Animal Welfare Officer would be essential in advocating for these concerns.
Zoe Mayer, the animal welfare spokesperson for the Green Party’s parliamentary group, stated that animals deserve more than “mere political calculation”. She criticized the ministry for seemingly downgrading this important role to a partisan position, rather than empowering an independent expert with specialized knowledge. Mayer expressed concern that the welfare of animals appears secondary to the political agenda of the minister.
