After animal cruelty case:

Making life difficult for black sheep

Healthy and happy animals: that is the aim of the new contractual regulation

(Bild: Dietmar Mathis )

The state of Vorarlberg is reacting to the latest case of animal cruelty and drug trafficking by a farmer and is tightening the ties between farmers and vets.

It was a truly shocking case of animal cruelty that became public two weeks ago: A young farmer - together with a second farmer - allegedly maltreated a cow in the Vorderwald forest to such an extent that the animal's tongue was ripped out. The seriously injured animal then lived in agony for another five days - until it was slaughtered in Salzburg. If that were bad enough, the affair only came to light when the farmer passed around photos of the sadistic action in a social gathering.

As a result, the farmer was finally reported to the police. In the course of the investigation into the man, it also became known that he had apparently been illegally trading in animal medication, in particular antibiotics and hormones. The state is now reacting to the case and wants to make life difficult for black sheep among farmers. The state councillor responsible, Christian Gantner (ÖVP), explained on Wednesday that the Animal Health Service (TGD) is to be expanded for this purpose.

We need safe food from animals that are doing well. We want to achieve this with the contract changeover.

Landesrat Christian Gantner

Bild: Maurice Shourot

Individual contracts instead of framework agreements
Up to now, two million euros have been pumped into this veterinary care system every year. Now "we want to draw conclusions from the recent incidents and take clear steps". In future, there will no longer be a framework contract for all farmers, but individual contracts between one farmer and one vet. "Anyone who does not sign such a contract will no longer receive any subsidies from this pot," explained Gantner. "We need safe food from animals that are doing well. This is how we want to achieve that. "

The President of the Chamber of Veterinarians, Robert Griss, also emphasized that the framework agreement had provided a cover for black sheep and that it needed to be tightened up. "That is why we are focusing on closer cooperation with farmers".

The individual contracts mean additional bureaucratic work, but we are not standing in the way of this.

Josef Moosbrugger, Präsidnet der Landwirtschaftskammer

Bild: LKÖ/APA/Schedl

Drug consumption reduced
State veterinarian Norbert Greber is also on board. He explained that the Animal Health Service was founded with the aim of reducing the consumption of medicines - and has succeeded in doing so. From 45 tons in 2018 to 34 tons in 2022 - Austria-wide. Consumption has fallen because veterinarians have focused more on prophylaxis and other services. But despite these successes, he also sees potential for improvement. "The individual contracts strengthen the bond between vet and farmer," he is convinced.

The President of the Chamber of Agriculture, Josef Moosbrugger, was not exclusively happy about the switch to individual contracts. He also saw the framework agreement as an instrument for reducing bureaucracy, with the individual contracts now creating additional work for those involved. However, he sees the animal health service as an indispensable instrument.

Better representation options
At the same time, he noted that veterinarians must also "ensure nationwide coverage". Griss gave the all-clear on this issue: individual contracts could even have the advantage that they also define representation. In this context, Gantner referred to a state funding system for weekend and emergency services.