Critics accuse Klöckner of “show event” with the meat industry
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Klöckner invites you to the meat summit
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After several corona outbreaks, the German meat industry has once again become the focus of criticism. Minister of Agriculture Klöckner is now inviting to the industry summit in Düsseldorf. She advocates a surcharge of 40 cents per kilogram of meat.
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Even before the meeting at the Ministry of Agriculture started, there was a lot of criticism. CDU country chief Laschet meanwhile wants to check whether the meat industrial Tönnies can be held liable for the Corona start in Gütersloh.
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DThe industry discussion on livestock farming and the meat industry held on Friday at the Federal Minister of Agriculture, Julia Klöckner (CDU), had already triggered massive criticism in advance. The DGB and the Greens spoke of a mere “show” event. The meeting was scheduled after a series of coronavirus outbreaks among slaughterhouse workers.
The board member of the German Trade Union Confederation, Anja Piel, complained that representatives of the employees had only been invited “after the fact” and “at the last minute”. Apparently, a sustainable improvement in the working conditions of employees in the meat industry should not be in the foreground, said Piel of the “Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung” (“NOZ”).
Critics attribute the spread of the novel corona virus in the industry to working conditions and the placement of many employees in cramped communal accommodation. Many Eastern Europeans work in the slaughterhouses, which are employed by subcontractors.
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Controls in meat plants – – – – –
In addition to employee representatives, representatives of the agriculture and food industry, slaughterhouses, the food trade and consumers also take part in the meeting at Klöckner. The Cartel Office, animal rights activists and veterinarians are also invited. The hosts are also the ministers of agriculture from North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony, Ursula Heinen-Esser and Barbara Otte-Kinast (both CDU).
Klöckner explained in advance that readjustment of animal husbandry in Germany was necessary. More animal welfare, better prices and fair working conditions are necessary. Meat and sausages are often too cheap.
Green Group leader Anton Hofreiter called for “fundamental change in the entire chain”. “Better laws, targeted funding and more transparency are needed”. Hofreiter accused Klöckner of inviting her to a “mere show event” from which “apart from beautiful confessions” little could be expected. The minister was “miles away” from non-partisan, overall social solutions.
“Thousands of people infected with corona in the slaughterhouses, miserable working and living conditions, suffering animals and people who are angry because they have to suffer the consequences of this policy: The Minister of Agriculture does not seem to have grasped the seriousness of the situation,” said the Greens- Group leader.
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Misunderstood capitalism – – – – –
DGB board member Piel appealed to the federal government to implement the envisaged reforms in the meat industry “quickly and legally.” The federal government wants the work contracts to be prohibited in slaughterhouses. Only employees of their own farm should be allowed to slaughter and cut animals. A cabinet decision provides for the work contracts to be banned from January 1, 2021. Federal Labor Minister Hubertus Heil (SPD) wants to prefer this.
Piel also warned of “smoke candles” from individual meat manufacturers who have announced that they will voluntarily waive contracts for work. “There have been enough announcements and promises – but nothing has happened,” she said. Nothing can ignore a legal regulation against work contracts. “This is the only way to get a handle on the problems that have arisen from years of abuse,” emphasized the trade unionist.
However, the Union faction raised doubts about the prohibition of contracts for work. To want to ban these contracts only in one branch is “constitutionally very questionable”, said faction vice Gitta Connemann (CDU) of the “NOZ”. The instrument is also used in many other industries.
Laschet has Tönnies’ liability checked
North Rhine-Westphalia’s Prime Minister Armin Laschet (CDU) meanwhile has the meat company Tönnies liable for the corona outbreak in the Gütersloh district. “It is currently being examined very carefully whether and which rules the company has violated and where it can be held liable,” Laschet told the editorial network Germany. He emphasized: “I see Tönnies in responsibility.”
Federal Minister of Labor Heil had already taken the view a few days ago that Tönnies had to assume “civil liability” for any damage incurred.
