CDU on the environment and animal welfare

The CDU wants to amend the state hunting law, which it says was passed against hunters' interests. It backs adding the wolf to hunting law and wants to lower the protection status of other species with sharply increased populations, such as the rook.

The CDU wants to change the state hunting law. It says the law is bad for hunters. Hunters should also be allowed to hunt wolves. Some animals, like the rook, should be less strictly protected.

Wildlife management is to follow regional conditions. The state would create the legal basis for active wolf management. Through the Bundesrat, the CDU wants to downgrade the protection status of species such as the rook; until then, existing leeway in state law would be used to regulate populations. The platform justifies this with conflicts that farmers face. Cooperation among hunters, foresters, farmers and conservation groups would receive more support.

The CDU wants to set up mandatory water associations statewide in which upstream and downstream communities jointly organize their water management. Rainwater, especially in winter, would be held back in basins and reservoirs. The platform cites longer dry spells and more heavy rain due to climate change.

Water is getting scarcer. There is also more heavy rain. So the CDU wants to make water associations mandatory. Towns on the same river plan together there. Winter rain should be stored. Flood protection should get better.

Planned measures include retention basins, reservoirs, keeping existing weirs and controlled infiltration to recharge groundwater. Flood protection and flood preparedness would be expanded strategically and financially. The state would give water associations more financial and organizational support. For water quality, the platform names modern treatment technology, groundwater protection and monitoring of pollutant discharges. Settlements are to be protected rather than pulled back from rivers and floodplains.

The CDU wants to convert forests into climate-resilient mixed woodland and improve wildfire protection. New building and commercial land would be designated sparingly, and towns and cities would get more greenery. The platform recognizes wood as a climate-neutral, renewable energy source.

Forests suffer from drought. So the CDU wants more mixed forests. Protection against forest fires should improve. Less new land should be used for building. Cities should get more trees and green roofs.

Private and municipal forest owners would get support for forest conversion. Firebreaks, fire lanes and additional firefighting ponds would become standard, and foresters and fire departments would work more closely together. For land use, developing within existing built-up areas takes priority over new land on the outskirts. The CDU wants to promote green spaces, green roofs and additional trees in towns and cities. Habitat networks would be strengthened, and farms would be supported in species and landscape protection programs.