Aldi has done it again. The discounter succeeds again and again in putting itself in the limelight as a fighter for a better world. Like now, with his push for higher standards in animal husbandry. From 2030 onwards, Aldi mainly wants to sell meat products that are associated with as little animal suffering as possible, which is commendable. When one of the most powerful German retail chains sends such a signal, the competition can hardly ignore it. Seen in this way, the initiative actually has what it takes to finally initiate the turnaround in the stables called for by animal rights activists, farmers and many consumers.
It should not be forgotten, however, that retail groups such as Aldi are largely responsible for the fact that the situation in the stables has worsened in recent decades. The reason for this is the brutal price pressure exerted by retailers on pet owners, which forced many to give up. For this reason, many producers simply do not have the money for more animal-friendly stables; Aldi’s advance does not change that either.
But at least it helps to increase the pressure on politics. All of the federal governments have failed to improve animal husbandry over the past 15 years. They were too afraid to make it clear to the voters: There is no right to cheap meat. How serious Aldi is with its announcement remains to be seen in the next few years. Not every full-bodied promise is actually implemented. The fact that meat companies like Tönnies are pulling along at least gives hope that something will finally happen in German stables.