The state government wants to relieve the financial burden on small slaughterhouses in the Free State, some of which are fighting for their existence. The goal is reduced and, above all, uniform fees for official surveillance per slaughtered animal. With a fundamental change in the so-called meat hygiene fees, fair framework conditions for small artisanal slaughterhouses should be ensured, the State Chancellery announced after a corresponding cabinet decision on Tuesday in Munich. In this way, they want to consistently strengthen the regional marketing of agricultural products. To compensate for the decrease in fees in the municipalities, the Free State intends to make up to five million euros available annually in the future.
The background: Currently, the corresponding fees per animal in smaller, artisanal slaughterhouses are sometimes significantly higher than in large slaughterhouses. They also differ in the counties. Around 1,500 smaller slaughterhouses across Bavaria are to benefit from the planned improvements through the reduction in fees – this corresponds to around 95 percent of all slaughterhouses in the Free State. This is also a boost for the entire rural area, it said. According to the State Chancellery, European law stipulates that fees must be charged for official controls in slaughterhouses. The current legal situation in Bavaria accordingly provides for the collection of cost-covering fees by the districts and cities. However, EU law allows deviations from this for smaller slaughterhouses.
According to the State Chancellery, the more precise modalities should now be determined together with the municipal umbrella organizations. The amended legislation is expected to come into force in early 2023. The rising meat hygiene fees had recently brought more and more small slaughterhouses in Bavaria into existential difficulties.