After the “Krone” report on the slaughter transport of Tyrolean organic calves to southern Italy, politicians are speaking out – also with an appeal to consumers and the catering industry.
“It is inexplicable to me why calves are brought to southern Italy for slaughter,” says LHStv. Josef Geisler (VP), responsible for agriculture in the state government. “Our goal is for calves born in Tyrol to be raised in the country.” With the new state funding for the construction and equipment of calf stables, the aim is to strengthen Tyrolean veal production and discourage live transport.Consumer behavior is the key to greater animal welfareGeisler sees consumer behavior as the key more animal welfare. “I appeal to consumers and the catering industry to use regional meat. Animal welfare and control are ensured if sales are right,” believes Geisler. With every piece of local veal or beef that comes to the plate, the number of animal transports decreases. Petra Wohlfahrtstätter, the animal protection and agriculture spokeswoman for the Tyrolean Greens, condemns the torturous transport of the two organic calves. She insists on the introduction of mandatory designation of origin for meat. Most Tyroleans would prefer to eat local (organic) meat – maybe a little less, but they could look in the mirror, says Wohlfahrtstätter. “And regional agriculture would have a chance again.” Too often the price is the deciding factor Josef Hechenberger, President of the Tyrolean Chamber of Agriculture, assesses the situation pragmatically: “I would also like it if all Tyrolean calves could also be marketed in Tyrol. Unfortunately, at the end of the day, it is far too often the price and not the origin that determines which meat ends up on the plate.”
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