The Polish Association of Beef Cattle Breeders and Producers presented comments and proposals regarding the intervention “Investments to improve cattle welfare”. Investments should be enabled and supported where this assistance is needed, as emphasized by Jacek Zarzecki, president of PZHiPBM.
As part of submitting comments on the draft amendment to the detailed guidelines regarding the granting, payment and reimbursement of aid for interventions I.10.15 Investments improving the welfare of cattle and pigs of the Strategic Plan for the Common Agricultural Policy for 2023–2027, the Polish Association of Beef Cattle Breeders and Producers submitted comments and proposals to guidelines.
Supporting activities aimed at freeing cattle from chains
The union proposed, among others: adding a provision on financing investments aimed at rebuilding livestock buildings in order to free cattle from chains.
“We are of the opinion that since a large part of cattle in Poland is still kept on chains and taking into account changes in EU legislation in the field of animal welfare and the implementation of the animal welfare program, it is justified to support activities aimed at freeing cattle from chains,” emphasizes Jacek Zarzecki, president of PZHiPBM.
Purchase of tamers, shepherds and brushes
The Association also applies for co-financing for the purchase of tamers, herders and cattle brushes (other than automatic ones, in the amount of 1 brush for 20 cattle).
“One of the basic activities to ensure animal welfare is to have a herding and taming facility with scales to carry out zootechnical treatments and selection, loading and unloading and ongoing care of animals,” Zarzecki points out. “The purchase of an automatic brush will cost several thousand zlotys, farmers with smaller herds should be allowed to purchase brushes other than automatic, which are cheaper and sufficient for herds of beef cattle,” he adds.
Changes to investment scoring to support small and medium-sized farms
The association also proposed changes to investment scoring to support small and medium-sized farms in improving animal welfare.
“In Poland, most cattle are kept in small and medium-sized herds. Therefore, points should be given to farms that need such support. Over the last 4 years, the number of farms keeping cattle has decreased from 350,000 to 300,000. Therefore, investments should be enabled and supported where this assistance is needed,” comments Zarzecki.
PZHiPBM suggested that farms having:
- not less than 5 DJPs and not more than 30 DJPs received 2 points, (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development 1 point)
- over 30 DJP and not more than 60 DJP received 3 points, (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development 2 points)
- above 60 DJP and not more than 100 DJP received 4 points, (MRiRW 3 points)
- above 100 DJP and not more than 150 DJP received 1 point, (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development 4 points)
Change in the determination of the area of paddocks
The association also suggested a change in the area of the paddocks. In the opinion of PZHiPBM, the area of the run should be no less than 30%. area for each animal determined on the basis of the Regulation of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development of June 28, 2010 on minimum conditions for keeping farm animals other than those for which protection standards are specified in European Union regulations. (Journal of Laws of 2010, No. 116, item 778.
“The system of dependence on the size of the runway by weight is incalculable and should change almost every day, so our proposal is a simpler and transparent solution,” says Zarzecki.
Increased score for pasture preparation
The Association also proposed increasing the score for the operation related to the preparation of pastures enabling untethered grazing of cattle (increase from 2 to 3 points).
“Preparation of pastures is one of the basic activities that improve animal welfare, so we propose increasing the number of points for such activities,” explains Zarzecki.
Priority not only for organic farms
It was also requested that “priority in granting aid should be given not only to organic farms, of which we have had a minimum number for several years, but also to breeding herds for which breeding books are kept and the value in use is assessed and covered by quality systems.”
“We are aware that in order to implement our proposals, changes to the KPS regarding the recognition of certain investments may be necessary. It’s a pity that when we submitted these proposals 2 years ago, they were not included. However, we believe that it is never too late for good changes, and we need the widest possible range of measures to invest in well-being,” emphasizes Zarzecki.
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