Meat production in Germany is facing a major transformation. Societal expectations are particularly high with regard to animal welfare and climate protection. Against this backdrop, the future of sows farming is particularly uncertain in Schleswig-Holstein. There are fewer and fewer farms with sows and more and more piglets are sometimes imported over long distances. Most companies are faced with existential decisions and call for support and orientation at the political level.

This requires a mental paradigm shift for everyone involved. It is no longer a matter of meeting the minimally necessary with current and short-term regulations. The departure requires “new thinking”, i.e. looking at the maximum as a planning horizon and making it the basis. Against this backdrop, a spirit of optimism is to be combined with a consulting offensive in Schleswig-Holstein.

This is intended to support the necessary reorientation of pig farming, which is not possible without preserving sows in Schleswig-Holstein. As many of the currently around 250 sows in Germany as possible are to be supported in developing a company-specific concept for securing their future. A “basic module” and an “advanced module” are planned. In the end, more or less extensive conversions and new buildings will be required in all companies. The actual detailed construction planning (documents for the approval process) is not the subject of this advisory support. At the same time, the modules are intended to drive operational decision-making processes forward and avoid future misplanning. The funding measure is therefore a necessary cornerstone for securing the future of pig farming in Schleswig-Holstein.