Protection Of Animals : Germany

A modern, trailblazing Protection of Animals Act has been in effect in Germany since 1972. It stipulates that as a matter of principle, all animals are to be protected from avoidable pain, suffering or harm. New scientific findings prompted significant improvements in the Protection of Animals Act in 1986, especially in regard to the use of animals in experiments, keeping of animals, trade in animals and slaughtering practices. Not only at the national level, however, but also increasingly at the European level, provisions are being drafted for the protection of animals. Germany has ratified the various European conventions for the protection of animals adopted by the Council of Europe.

Within the European Union, directives have been and continue to be issued concerning the keeping of livestock on farms, transportation of animals, use of animals in experiments, and slaughtering practices; these directives are subsequently implemented into national law. Every two years, the Federal Government submits an Animal Protection Report to the German Bundestag detailing developments in the area of animal protection.