The grazing requirement for dairy cows was introduced in 1988 after a campaign led by Astrid Lindgren.
The new animal protection law stated that all dairy cows in Sweden should have access to green grazing for at least six hours every day during the grazing season.
But the law may be on its way to being repealed.
An investigation into the competitiveness of agriculture, which the government and the Sweden Democrats have appointed, has proposed that the grazing requirement be abolished. The proposal has been sent for consideration, but the government has not yet taken a stand.
”Think differently”
According to Pourmokhtari, the issue divides the Tidö parties.
We are very keen on the Astrid Lindgren law and think it is very important that cows have grazing rights in the summer. It is something we will fight hard for and continue to argue for in the government's work. Then parties think differently, so it is a living discussion.
The Christian Democrats want to modernize the grazing requirement, and instead compensate farmers who have their cows out with compensation similar to many European countries.
Points to Paulsen
The Sweden Democrats' Martin Kinnunen, spokesperson on environmental and agricultural issues, wrote in a debate article together with Minister for Rural Affairs Peter Kullgren (KD) when the investigation was appointed that "another part of the Tidö agreement is being realized".
It will have to take its course before we see where we will end up, Kullgren said later.
The Liberals believe that animal protection requirements should be raised at the EU level instead of being lowered in Sweden.
It is good that the law exists, to maintain the high standard we have for animal rights in Sweden. It is something that Marit Paulsen and many others in my party have fought for for a long time, and it is something we will continue to do, says Romina Pourmokhtari.
