EuroTier Blog: Animal welfare does not have to add costs to food production

Animal welfare and economic food production can be reconciled in successful livestock production, says the president of the DLG Carl-Albrecht Bartmer. The DLG stages the world's largest exhibition for intensive livestock producers, EuroTier, in Hanover, Germany in November every second year.

He  told international journalists gathering at a welcome reception on the evening before the opening of the fair, that EuroTier 2012 has a special feature on animal welfare which reflects the serious discussion that is continuing in developed countries around this issue.

"In Hall 26 you can learn about the newest development in animal welfare where modern technology and innovative engineers are creating technical progress and answers that realise animal welfare on the one side and a growing world with a growing demand for food, such as meat milk and egg products, on the other."

As far as this year's event is concerned he told journalists that his message might sound a 'little boring'. Again it's the biggest EuroTier ever, "and that is something I say every year," says Mr Bartmer.

But the difference this year is in the show's incredible growth.

"This year we are here with 2445 exhibitors - that's a growth of 25 percent over last time. The most interesting thing is the growth in international exhibitors. We have seen a 40 percent increase in international exhibitors and they now represent half of all exhibitors.

"We have 50 nations here in Hanover and that's even a record, making it fantastic starting conditions for 2012."

But why is it this way? Mr Bartmer mused with his audience.

"Why do international exhibitors come to Germany, this little country in the middle of Europe?

"I think people understand that the technical progress that we represent here in Hanover is a progress you can use everywhere in the world. It means that technical progress is not specific to special regions, this progress can be used everywhere. That's what makes it very interesting to come together. You find the best market leaders and the best innovation leaders here in Hanover," he added.