New federal animal welfare commissioner discusses with

The Federal Animal Welfare Commissioner talks to cattle veterinarians at the AVA conference (© Agrar- und Veterinär-Akademie (AVA))

The newly appointed federal Commissioner for Animal Welfare last summer, veterinarian Dr. Ariane Kari, recently discussed her ideas on animal welfare, animal protection and animal health in modern livestock farming with veterinarians at the Livestock Conference 2024 of the Agricultural and Veterinary Academy (AVA) in Herrieden for the first time after her appointment by Federal Minister of Agriculture Cem Özdemir as animal welfare commissioner.
In his welcome speech, AVA founder and director, agronomist and veterinary specialist Ernst-Günther Hellwig saw the need for “we, veterinarians, to get to know the new Federal Commissioner for Animal Welfare, because our common goal is to ensure that the animals the farms are doing well and that animal protection and welfare are guaranteed.”

In her guest lecture for livestock veterinarians, Federal Animal Welfare Commissioner Dr. Kari says she wants to give all animals a voice at the federal level and be heard as the “voice of the animals” in, for example, legislative procedures. With her role in animal protection, she wants to strengthen a central concern of the federal government. It primarily represents animals and does not speak for the federal government. Its decisions and judgments on animal welfare and animal welfare-related issues are free from any political influence or political directives. “I decide how and what I work on,” says Dr. Kari.
It advises and supports all federal ministries equally, and not just the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, as is often incorrectly stated. She provides technical recommendations and advice/expert opinions and will actively participate in the further development of animal welfare at national and international level.
She wants to take a critical look at draft laws and proposals from the federal government. She will also introduce many of her own ideas and formulations into the animal welfare debates early enough to exert appropriate influence as an expert, far removed from ideologies but based in fact on reality.
She also sees the role of her educational and PR work as conveying more knowledge about animals and their needs.

Before the AGM event, there were some skeptics who saw the role of an animal welfare officer as a “dual occupation” in the BMEL, as “animal health and welfare” were already codified in Subsection 32.

The almost 100 veterinarians present were visibly impressed by how clearly the Federal Animal Welfare Commissioner presented her positions and objectives and managed the subsequent lively discussion with the veterinarians with flying colors. “All of us, as professional animal rights activists, must clearly position ourselves as experts,” said Dr. Kari.
We veterinarians are pleased that the Agricultural and Veterinary Academy (AVA) was able to bring the new federal Commissioner for Animal Welfare to Herrieden for an exchange of views and discussion at the AVA Cattle Conference, said the AVA chairman. “Now we know who is the person who holds the office of Federal Animal Welfare Commissioner.” Dr. Kari called on the veterinarians present to keep in touch with her, ultimately in the interests of the animals.
Only a joint approach between the veterinary profession and the Federal Animal Welfare Commissioner can ultimately benefit animal welfare and the welfare of farm animals and enable all involved to act with certainty for the future.
The AVA Cattle Conference was a successful opportunity for veterinarians to participate in a professional exchange with the Federal Animal Welfare Commissioner. “Let’s keep in touch,” Ariane Kari said at the end of the discussion and left the AGM event to loud applause.
The remainder of the cattle veterinarian conference program brought many new aspects and updates revolving around the veterinary care of dairy herds during the two-day AGM conference.
The motto of every modern cattle veterinarian is: the veterinarian who cares for the herd has the task of ensuring that the animals do not become ill. So-called preventive veterinary medicine saves on medicines and antibiotics. This helps the animal, the farmer and ultimately the consumer, who buys healthy food from healthy animals.

Detailed information about the livestock conference in Herrieden can be found here.

Keywords:
Agricultural and Veterinary Academy (AVA), Federal Animal Welfare Officer, Kari, animal health, veterinary medicine, farm animal medicine, AVA Cattle Conference, Ernst-Günther Hellwig, animal welfare, animal welfare,

Agricultural and Veterinary Academy (AVA)
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48565 Steinfurt
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Agricultural and Veterinary Academy (AVA)
Mr Ernst-G. Hellwig
025517878

[email protected]

The AVA is a training association with the aim of providing further training and disseminating information for the agricultural and veterinary sector. At the same time, the AGM is a forum for farmers and veterinarians that focuses on the challenges of producing healthy food in the coming decades.
The purpose of the Agricultural and Veterinary Academy is to discuss the issues of modern, sustainable agriculture and livestock farming. Together we want to find ways to work animal-friendly, practical and consumer-oriented. AVA training helps save on medicines! Ernst-Günther Hellwig, founder and director of the AVA, Steinfurt, Burgsteinfurt
Ernst-Günther Hellwig
Birkenweg 7
D 48565 Steinfurt-Burgsteinfurt
telephone: +49-(0)2551- 7878 fax: +49-(0)2551-83 43 00
[email protected] www.ava1.de

This release was published on openPR.