Brandenburg Goat Farm Under Scrutiny as Former Trainees Allege Unheated Lodging and Wage Deductions
Published on 08/10/2026 at 07:33 | Redaktion boerse-global.de
The Prignitz region's dairy goat sector has found itself at the centre of a labour-rights dispute, with former trainees from outside the European Union describing a workplace that bore little resemblance to their intended vocational training. The allegations, which include unheated accommodation and monthly salary deductions, have now drawn a response from Brandenburg's state labour authority.
Trainees recruited from non-EU countries say they were assigned tasks unrelated to their actual occupational field once they arrived at the farm. Several also reported a harsh tone from management during their placements. The accommodation provided for the duration of their stay was reportedly left without heating, adding to the litany of complaints.
Perhaps most striking is the claim that the farm's management withheld €100 from wages each month, officially labelled as transport services. The recruitment agency Bixter has since severed its ties with the operation. The farm itself has declined to comment on the accusations.
The state authority responsible for labour safety, consumer protection and health — known by its German acronym LAVG — confirmed that it has no current evidence of specific problems with the housing. Yet the farm is no stranger to inspectors. Past checks have already turned up violations of occupational safety regulations.
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This is not the first time the operation has generated negative headlines. Back in June, the animal welfare organisation Soko Tierschutz filed a criminal complaint over suspected breaches of animal protection rules. The complaint was supported by video footage captured between January and April of this year.
The controversy lands at a delicate moment for agriculture in Brandenburg. Groundwater reservoirs and lakes across the state are hovering near historic lows, and several districts have imposed bans on water extraction. Farmers, industrial players and major consumers — including Tesla's facility in Grünheide and beverage producers in Baruth — are all competing for reliable water access. Municipal associations are pressing for legislative adjustments to address the mounting strain.
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For agricultural enterprises in the region, the pressure now comes from two directions at once: meeting social and labour standards while also managing increasingly scarce natural resources.
