Bio-Symposium 2017
8th November 2017
Dr. Rachel Reckinger was a speaker at the round table discussion at the third Bio-Symposium organised by Bio-Lëtzebuerg, on the topic of ‘Die Bedeutung des Tieres in Landwirtfschaft und Ernährung’ (the importance of animals in agriculture and nutrition. The round table discussion was moderated by Jean Stoll, and its other speakers included Fernand Etgen (Ministère de l’Agriculture, de la Viticulture et de la Protection des Consommateurs), Martin von Mackensen (writer and lecturer), Camille Müller (Vegan Society Luxembourg, Asbl). and Sarah Wiener (Chef and founder of Sarah Wiener Stiftung).
Find the event flyer and program here
‘The 3rd organic symposium once again becomes the meeting point for farmers and consumers; to discuss and understand different perspectives. Through mechanization and industrialization, animal husbandry has become a form of intensive production, with the animal subordinate to the market needs. As a result of this, there has been a movement of dissenters, including the vegan movement which is based on a refusal of all animal products. From a cultural and historical standpoint, the animal has been a constant companion to human communities, and have been domesticated for thousands of years in order to form the types of husbandry we know today. Man has always used the animal resources. Mechanization has made every day work easier and raised standards, which in turn has led to overproduction and a disposable mentality that pushes us towards biodiversity loss, global resource overuse, climate change, etc., and raised the issue of animal welfare. People increasingly want to break out of this spiral and demand change. The organic farmers are aware of the value of the animals in their care, and the importance of animals and their needs within the business cycle are respected. But organic farming is also subject to market pressure and has to be questioned.’ (Translated from German from the event leaflet).
