Germany – a strong agricultural country

Germany is an agricultural country: more than 80% of the country's territory is put to agricultural or forestry use. It is also a major exporter in the agricultural and food industries with corresponding exports valued at more than 50 billion euros. The most important commodities include meat and meat products.
When it comes to the production of meat, all those involved work together closely – agriculture, research institutes, training and consulting institutes and those responsible for meat marketing. They ensure that scientific findings and the requirements made by the sales markets are efficiently implemented in breeding, fattening and husbandry. Accordingly, excellent and constantly updated know-how is made available to Germany's farmers.

Germany: Largest pork producer in the EU

The production of pork has a long tradition in Germany. Production methods and structures today are on a high standard and undergo constant further development in terms of animal genetics, animal health, production technology and hygiene.

A production quantity of more than 5 million tonnes in 2008 puts Germany top of the list of pork producers in the EU. On a global scale, Germany comes third after China and the USA. Pork husbandry in Germany is primarily concentrated in the North West of the country which accounts for about half of the entire domestic pig population.

Pig breeding in Germany is characterised by the large number of different breeds. Together with the high-performance animals obtained by crossing the German Landrace with the Pietrains, there are also numerous traditional breeds of pigs, such as the Schwäbisch Hall Domestic Pig, the Bentheim Black Pied and the Angeln Saddleback. All breeds stand out with their robust health and excellent quality of meat. While the number of businesses involved in pig farming declines, specialisation continues to increase. Today a good 70,000 pig farms have a total of 27 million pigs. 60% of all pigs are raised in farms with more than 1,000 animals. Constant increases in productivity have brought pork production to record levels. Last year, approx. 55 million pigs were slaughtered, compared to the year 2000 when the number was 12 million less.

Germany: Strong beef production

In 2008, Germany had 180,000 cattle farms with just about 13 million animals, making Germany the second largest producer in Europe, with more than 40 breeds. The diversity in cattle breeds reflects the regional climatic and feeding differences to be found from the Bavarian Alps in the South to the North Sea and Baltic coasts. Cattle farming in Germany is differentiated according to beef and dairy cattle, as well as dual-purpose breeds. Red-spotted highland cattle and Brown Mountain cattle dominate in South Germany, while more German Holstein cows (Black Pied Lowland cattle and the Red-And-White Holstein cattle) can be found in the North.

As with agriculture in general, cattle stocks in Germany are tending to develop in favour of the larger farming businesses. Today more than 60% of the cattle are kept in herds of more than 100 animals.

Cattle and beef production in Germany is a professional business. The country has very high standards covering the whole supply chain, from breeding and insemination on the farm premises via husbandry, slaughtering and processing through to performance and quality control. 64,500 agricultural businesses with altogether 3.5 million head of cattle are subject to performance testing for milk and beef yield. The corresponding tests check parameters such as daily weight increase, slaughtering weight, cutting up and the meat share. Breeding processes then take direct account of the corresponding results.

Pets in Germany: Regulations for Pet Import

Bringing #pets to Germany is subject to a broad variety of regulations, some of which stem from European legislation, while others are based on national laws. Some regulations for pets in Germany may even depend on the regional authorities at your final place of residence. Please note that all these regulations may also apply again when you re-enter Germany with your pets after leaving the country for a while.

Regulations for #dogs, #cats and #ferrets fall under European legislation. According to European law, you may bring up to five #animals per person travelling. If you want to take more than five pets with you, you have to follow the requirements for the commercial #pet trade.

Pets in Germany: Moving within the EU

For moving pets across borders within the European Union (for example, from Spain to Germany), expats have to follow the EU requirements below. To import and keep their pets in Germany, owners of cats, dogs, or ferrets need:

To have the pet immunized for rabies. Depending on the vaccine brand, repeat vaccination may be required. The complete vaccination must be no older than 12 months and no more recent than 30 days.
Pets in Germany should be clearly identifiable by an implanted transponder.
All pets in Germany as well as other EU member states must have an identification document (“pet passport”). This confirms the vaccination and the chip implant. In an EU member state, you can obtain the “pet passport” at your local veterinarian. To register a pet passport, you have to bring proof of identification, proof of vaccination, and, in some cases, your pet itself.

Pets in Germany: Moving from outside the EU

When arriving with your pets in Germany from outside the European Union, you have to meet the above requirements for moving within Europe. In addition to that, you sometimes have to prove the rabies vaccination’s efficiency. The required blood test needs to be done at least three months before entering the European Union and 30 days or more after the immunization. Your pet doesn’t need a blood test, however, when entering from one of the so-called “listed” countries outside the EU.

These states and territories include Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Hong Kong, Iceland, Japan, Mauritius, Malaysia, Norway, Russia, Singapore, Switzerland, Taiwan, the UAE, the US, and various smaller countries. For a complete list, please see this PDF provided by the German Customs Administration.

If you don’t arrive from one of these countries, your animal has to be tested for immunity against rabies. A certified veterinarian has to do this test. Here you can find a list of authorized laboratories abroad.

Keep in mind that the rabies vaccination must not be older than 12 months. Your pet then has to take the blood test between eleven and three months before your departure. Sometimes, you have to wait up to four months after the vaccination before you can schedule the blood test. So, if you want to live with your pets in Germany, please consider all these time frames and waiting periods.