Austria announces the criminalization of most pig farms in the country
In a sudden move that shakes the agricultural sector, the Austrian government announced that the majority of pig farms in the country will be considered illegal starting June 1, due to the use of perforated concrete floors known as 'Vollspaltenböden', which will be completely banned without any grace period.
Currently, about 70% of pigs in Austria are raised in such farms, although this system contradicts the country's animal protection law, according to Veronika Weissenbacher, campaign director at the organization "Vier Pfoten" (Four Paws). She explains that this type of flooring leads to chronic joint infections in about 92% of the animals, in addition to severe skin ulcers, due to the lack of straw bedding or separate areas for resting, activity, and excretion.
The origin of the ban dates back to a parliamentary decision issued in 2022, which stipulates a gradual ban on these surfaces until 2040. However, the Constitutional Court (Verfassungsgerichtshof) found that this long deadline was unjustified and canceled the transitional period, meaning that the complete ban will be implemented immediately without delay, putting thousands of farmers in a significant legal predicament within a few weeks.
Despite the commitment of the government formed by ÖVP-SPÖ-Neos (the ruling coalition) to establish a new transitional period before the end of May, farmers are starting to lose trust. Farmer "Franz B." from eastern Austria says, "On June 1, my stable will be considered illegal." Meanwhile, Peter Schmidlechner from the National Farmers' Union expressed his concern, stating that this decision will destroy agriculture alongside "crazy restrictions, declining purchasing power, and the dictatorship of the European Union."
On the other hand, environmental activists are demanding an immediate ban without waiting. Martin Baluch from the "Anti-Animal Factory Association" stated that the current system produces systematic suffering: "The only solution is to completely ban concrete floors and adopt clean, deep straw bedding, providing enough space for all pigs to stretch comfortably."
If the government fails to pass a new transitional law in the coming weeks, Austria may face an unprecedented food and agricultural crisis at the beginning of summer.