Erfurt/Nordhausen (dpa/th) - After the death of around 2,000 pigs in a fattening facility in Nordhausen, Environment Minister Anja Siegesmund demanded comprehensive clarification. She spoke of the animals dying of suffocation after the ventilation system in their stables did not work. "Something like this shouldn't happen," said the Green politician on Tuesday in the summer interview with MDR Thuringia.
In her opinion, the veterinary offices should be given more power. In addition, Siegesmund brought up an animal welfare officer from the state government. This position was provided for in the 2019 coalition agreement between the Left, SPD and Greens, but has not yet been created. But there are talks about it. It must first be clarified which tasks and responsibilities a state animal welfare officer should have.
The Greens had campaigned strongly for agriculture in the state election campaign. "We want species-appropriate animal husbandry," said Siegesmund. However, the department went to the left and is managed by Susanna Karawanskij.
According to the police, the operator of the pig fattening facility with a total of 50,000 animals is being investigated on suspicion of violating the Animal Welfare Act. The official veterinarian of the district of Nordhausen had filed a criminal complaint.
According to their own statements, the operators of the fattening facility informed the district's veterinary office immediately after the incident and promised to help clarify the circumstances. According to the company, according to initial findings, the ventilation system failed in 6 of over 150 departments in which the pigs were kept. The surviving fattening pigs were examined by veterinarians. According to the German Animal Welfare Association, almost 2,500 animals died in the accident. An alarm system of the ventilation system apparently failed.
