Background Tonies
Tönnies also wants to become the market leader in animal welfare
Tönnies, the largest abattoir in Germany, wants to invest heavily in animal welfare and sustainability in the coming years. Pig farmers and other chain parties are involved in the plans.
Owner Clemens Tönnies wants to improve the animal welfare of pigs in Germany. With this sustainability vision, the company responds to the social discussion about animal welfare, climate protection, the environment, working conditions and meat consumption.
10% more space
This new corporate vision has 15 specific goals. According to Tönnies' press spokesperson, these relate, among other things, to the circular economy. This includes the use and protection of resources, as well as social responsibility for the rural areas and improved efficiency and sustainability in packaging and logistics.
Tönnies also wants the pigs to have 10% more living space in the barn than required by law. This would be in accordance with the minimum requirements of the private initiative 'tierwohl'. Tönnies also wants to be involved in the development of new barns and animal management methods. In the short term, he wants to build 500 stables together with pig farmers, where the pigs can look outside and blow fresh air around the stables. In addition, Tönnies wants to increase the share of slaughter pigs from stables with far-reaching measures for animal welfare and climate friendliness to 70% by 2030.
Surcharge from trade
These objectives have a positive influence on the development of sustainability. Whether it will be easy to achieve the objectives, however, is another matter. Investments need to be made that increase the cost of pork production.
According to Tönnies, he has already convinced several large market groups to participate. With the aim of a joint declaration of intent in which the sector commits itself to the greatest possible improvement in animal welfare in pig farming. He states that the trade must pay the extra price for animal welfare to the pig farmer.
Time to do
The more direct believes that it must be ensured that citizens continue to accept animal products. Hence his appeal to the pig farming sector, politicians and non-governmental organizations. "We are calling for a national consensus on animal welfare. Enough has been said about how to better keep animals. Now is the time to act." In addition, he has indicated that he trusts that his competitors also see the need for it.
Chanti Oussoren
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