The Bavarian database on animal health is scheduled to go live at the end of 2021. “The aim is to provide animal owners with appropriate indicators for animal health and welfare, which can also be used for advisory purposes in compliance with data protection regulations,” said a spokesman for the Ministry of Agriculture. Agriculture Minister Michaela Kaniber (CSU) announced the creation of the database a year ago. It should include findings from official veterinarians at slaughterhouses. With the new possibility of comparing results with other farms, keepers could recognize health problems of their animals earlier and take remedial action, Kaniber had said. Participation in the program is voluntary. According to the ministry, control authorities will not have access. The ministry said that the data from the slaughterhouses are currently being linked to husbandry, feeding and performance indicators in cooperation with the various farm self-help organizations.