Agriculture - High Administrative Court allows cattle transport to Morocco
The controversial transportation of pregnant dairy cows to Morocco remains permitted. On Friday, the Higher Administrative Court in Lüneburg rejected the appeal by the district of Emsland against a ruling by the Osnabrück Administrative Court in an urgent decision. This means that the transport of 105 pregnant young cattle to a dairy cooperative in Morocco can take place on December 18 and 19. The decision is final. The district had wanted to prohibit the transport by order of the Ministry of Agriculture in Hanover, but had failed in both instances.
Only a few weeks ago, the Ministry of Agriculture had issued a decree against the transport of cattle, which had been criticized by animal rights activists. The ministry assumes that the animals are slaughtered without stunning in the destination countries. This is not permitted under German animal welfare law. The decree should significantly restrict these cattle transports.
Like the Administrative Court in Osnabrück, the judges in Lüneburg did not recognize that the district had demonstrated a concrete danger to the animals. In the district's justification, no concrete circumstances were named from which it could be seen that the animals were to be killed without stunning in the foreseeable future. The animals are not exported for slaughter, but for milk production - the recipient is one of the six most important dairy companies in Morocco.
The High Administrative Court also did not accept the argument that the animals could be killed without stunning after their period of use as dairy cows as a reason for a ban. For a danger of this kind, there is the legal possibility to issue a statutory order, which has not yet been used.
Press release
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- Despite opposition from animal rights activists, the transportation of dairy cows from Germany to the District of Emsland for milk production in Morocco remains unhindered, as ruled by the Administrative Court in Osnabrück and upheld by the Higher Administrative Court in Lüneburg.
- The German Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMELV) had previously introduced a decree aimed at restricting the transport of cattle to countries where they might be slaughtered without stunning, but this decree has not yet affected the transport of dairy cows to Morocco.
- As the sixth largest dairy company in Morocco, the recipient of these dairy cows is expected to provide humane treatment and adhere to the necessary animal welfare standards, despite debates regarding slaughter without stunning in that country.
- In dismissing the appeal from the district of Emsland, the Administrative Court in Lüneburg found no sufficient evidence that theanimals would be killed without being stunned, necessitating a prohibition on transport.
- Germany's agricultural sector continues to explore options for international cooperation, with Morocco serving as a valuable partner in the dairy industry, despite concerns raised by animal welfare proponents.
- Following the ruling, the district of Emsland expressed disappointment but indicated that they would consider alternative legal steps to address concerns regarding animal welfare and transportation of livestock to Morocco.
- The transportation of pregnant dairy cows to Morocco remains a contentious issue within Germany's agricultural and political circles, with ongoing discussions regarding animal welfare and international trade regulations.
Source: www.stern.de
