June 10, 2025
Without a clear decision by the federal government, the office is at risk of being dissolved.
Without a clear decision by the federal government, the office is at risk of being dissolved.
In June 2023, Ariane Kari assumed her role as Germany’s first Federal Commissioner for Animal Welfare – a historic milestone for political animal protection in the country. But now, this important position is under threat.
Following the collapse of the coalition government in 2024, the number of federal commissioner posts is being renegotiated. The new government plans to eliminate several of these positions. This puts one of the most important political voices for non-human animals at the federal level at risk.
We at Expertise for Animals have signed the open letter in which numerous organizations call for the preservation of this office.
Losing the Federal Commissioner for Animal Welfare would send a clear signal that the German government is actively sidelining animal protection – even though animal welfare has been enshrined as a state goal in the German constitution since 2002.
You can download the full open letter (in Geman) at the bottom of the page.
The role of the Federal Commissioner for Animal Welfare is not only politically relevant but also structurally significant. It is independent and based on expert knowledge. This makes it an essential bridge between politics, practice, and science.
This interface is exactly where we see our own role as well: Expertise for Animals makes scientific findings accessible and understandable for animal protection organizations, political decision-makers, and the public.
As part of the planned amendment to the Animal Welfare Act, the role was intended to be legally anchored in the new legislation. But with the reform having failed, there is now no legal basis for the office.
The current contract of Ariane Kari is set to expire soon. Without a clear decision by the federal government, the office is at risk of being dissolved.
