SPD on the environment and animal welfare

The SPD wants to rewet peatlands, restore floodplains and reforest with climate-resilient trees because these areas store CO₂ and strengthen biodiversity. Nature conservation is to be carried out voluntarily and together with farmers, associations and municipalities.

The SPD wants to protect peatlands, floodplains and forests. These areas store CO₂ and help many animals and plants. Nature protection should be voluntary and done in talks with local people. Farmers should take part too.

Enough money is to be available for rewetting peatlands, done together with owners and land managers. EU rules, above all the Nature Restoration Regulation, are to be implemented cooperatively and combined with workable solutions for land use and regional development. Local planting campaigns and environmental education in schools, daycare centers and clubs are to be supported. The circular economy, repair and recycling are to grow. For raw-material extraction, the platform calls for protecting valuable soils and binding rules in regional planning.

The SPD wants to hold more water in the landscape, keep the public water supply affordable and complete flood protection. The platform regards flood protection as protection of the population.

The SPD wants more water to stay in the ground. Drinking water should stay affordable. The repair of the dikes should be finished. Towns should get better warnings about floods and heavy rain.

Modern wastewater plants are to be expanded and given extra treatment stages where needed; discharges are to be monitored at low cost. The EU Water Framework Directive is to be implemented faster. Dike renovation is to be completed, and retention areas are to be created or reactivated. Early-warning systems, gauge technology and up-to-date flood and heavy-rain maps are meant to improve municipal preparedness. Heavy-rain preparedness is to be financially secured.

The SPD wants a statewide ban on wild animals in circuses and in private keeping. Outdoor cats would have to be neutered, and animal shelters would get reliable funding. According to the platform, the aim is to prevent animal suffering.

The SPD wants to protect animals better. Circuses should no longer be allowed to have wild animals. Private people should not keep wild animals either. Cats that roam outside should be neutered. Animal shelters should get enough money.

The neutering requirement for outdoor cats is meant to prevent uncontrolled breeding. Along with the wild animal ban, species-appropriate alternatives are to be promoted. Shelters, zoos and animal parks are to get lasting support based on need, because the SPD sees them as doing important work for animal and species protection and for education. Control of animal diseases is to be coordinated with the federal government and the other states.