User information
What benefit does the state animal husbandry label provide? Who and what will it be mandatory for? What types of husbandry are there? And what must farmers and food operators (abattoirs, cutters, packagers, butcher's shops and retailers) bear in mind when introducing and using the label? Learn more about the binding state animal husbandry label and its goals, the types of husbandry and the steps towards labelling that livestock farms and food operators need to take.
Displaying the types of husbandry
The introduction of the mandatory state animal husbandry label marks an important milestone on the path towards future-proof animal husbandry in Germany. The label will create transparency and clarity with regard to the way animals are kept and will make it easier for consumers to make informed purchasing decisions. At the same time, it will provide a way for farmers to display their efforts to improve animal welfare on the market.
The labelling requirement will apply initially to fresh pork from animals reared, slaughtered and processed in Germany. An extension to include processed products, and also incorporate the away-from-home catering / restaurant sector, is planned for 2024. This will then be followed by other animal species, and by other products and retail channels. Equivalent foreign products intended for the German market can be labelled on a voluntary basis.
The Tierhaltungskennzeichnungsgesetz (Act on Animal Husbandry Labelling) is the legal basis. It regulates how the label is to be used and specifies the criteria for the individual types of husbandry systems used.
Benefits and facts
The mandatory state animal husbandry label...
Husbandry systems
The animal husbandry labelling system distinguishes between five different husbandry types:
- indoor housing
- indoor+space
- indoor with fresh air
- outdoor runs/free range
- organic
The label that is entitled to be used is based on the type of husbandry system used during the fattening period.