Silvia Breher reviews first year as Germany's Animal Welfare Commissioner

One year into her term, Germany’s Federal Animal Welfare Commissioner Silvia Breher has highlighted several legislative milestones, including the legal anchoring of video surveillance in slaughterhouses. This measure aims to make animal welfare-relevant processes in slaughter operations more transparent. Additionally, Breher has promoted simplified regulations for converting stables to improve animal welfare.

Breher is also planning a nationwide database for animal husbandry and care bans, alongside proposed changes to animal welfare criminal law. However, her dual role as Federal Animal Welfare Commissioner and Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture has drawn criticism from the Green Party and the German Animal Welfare Federation. These organizations argue that her simultaneous positions pose a risk to the independence of the commissioner's office.

The German Animal Welfare Federation noted that the current video surveillance proposal may be insufficient, as it only covers particularly large operations, leaving the scope and practical control of the technology as ongoing concerns.