The steps leading to animal husbandry labelling

1. Step: 

The livestock farm notifies the competent federal state authority, either in writing or electronically, of the number of animals and the types of husbandry system in use. 

The notification must include the following information:

• the name and address of the farm and farm owner;
• the registration number of the farm in accordance with Section 26 (2) of the German Livestock Trade and Transport Ordinance;
• the husbandry facilities (for instance proof of available floor areas and outdoor runs);
• the number of animals to be kept in each husbandry facility;
• the type of animal husbandry system in use.

2. Step:

The federal state authority checks whether the requirements for the type of husbandry system used are met.

3. Step:

If the husbandry facility meets the requirements for the type of husbandry as specified in the Act on Animal Husbandry Labelling, the federal state authority assigns a permanent identification number to each of the husbandry facilities included in the notification within a period of two months after notification. The identification number indicates:

• the type of husbandry system in use;
• the competent authority;
• the livestock farm and the housing facility.

4. Step: 

The federal state authority keeps an electronic register with the name and address of the husbandry facilities and the specified identification numbers.

5. Step: 

Responsibility for implementing the provisions of this Act, in addition to ensuring that the provisions are complied with, rests with the federal states. The federal states identify the competent authorities for these tasks. The competent authorities are required to monitor the farms on a regular basis to ensure that the provisions of this Act are complied with. Depending on the administrative structure of the federal states, the authorities responsible for these tasks may differ.

 

Farm owners must document the following information from the moment the animals are placed in the housing:

• the date on which the animals were placed in the housing;
• the average weight of the animals in each housing group when they were placed in the housing;
• the number of animals kept;
• the type of housing used for each housing facility;
• any changes in the husbandry system or in the number of animals kept;
• the length of time the animals remained in the housing.

The amount of work for livestock farms is to be kept as low as possible. Records that already have to be kept as a result of other legal requirements will therefore not have to be provided again.

As soon as there is a change to the husbandry system lasting a total of more than two weeks, the farm is to report this change to the authority. The authority may then issue a new identification number.

For traceability purposes, the following must be ensured:

1. Forwarding of information to stakeholders in subsequent stages of production and sales.

2. Availability of information on the type of husbandry and the identification number of the husbandry facility.

The last step is product labelling for consumers:

• placing the label indicating the type of husbandry on the foodstuffs (ensuring it is clearly visible and easily legible);

• for non-prepacked food, for example in butcher's shops or on supermarket shelves: a clearly visible text in the immediate vicinity must inform consumers of the type of husbandry system in use, so that they can take note of the information before purchasing the food.

• For distance selling, e.g. online trade: providing consumers with information on the type of husbandry prior to the conclusion of the sales contract.

The animal husbandry label can be applied for and obtained on a voluntary basis for meat products from other EU Member States and third countries that are destined for the German market. The application is to be submitted by the company that sells the food product to final consumers in Germany. The federal states inspect the products available on the market.
 

1. Step: 

The meat processing company submits the application (in German or English, in writing or electronically) to the competent authority. 

• If the food operator has their headquarters in Germany, the authority that is competent for the headquarters is the competent authority.
• If the food operator has no headquarters in Germany the Federal Office for Agriculture and Food (BLE) is the competent authority.

The application must contain the following information:

• the name and address of the company
• the food products to be sold in Germany 
• the type of husbandry system used for the animals from which the food products are derived 
• the identification numbers of the farms 

If no identification number is available, the following details must be provided:

• the EU registration number of the livestock farm;
• the competent authority responsible for monitoring the animal welfare standards;
• the location of the individual livestock farms;
• information on the husbandry facility (usable floor space, number of animals, type of husbandry system);
• evidence of the type of husbandry system used.

As soon as any changes to these details have occurred, the food processing company is required to report these changes to the competent authority.

2. Step:

The federal state authority determines whether the requirements for the type of husbandry system have been met and, if this is the case, approves the husbandry type.

1. Step: 

The foreign farm applies to the Federal Office for Agriculture and Food (in writing or electronically, in German or English). The notification must contain the following information:

• the name and address of the livestock farm and its owner;
• the individual registration number assigned to the livestock farm pursuant to Article 93 of Regulation (EU) 2016/429;
• the competent authority responsible for monitoring the animal welfare standards;
• the location of the individual livestock farms;
• information on the husbandry facility (usable floor space, number of animals, type of husbandry system);
• evidence of the type of husbandry system used.

2. Step: 

The Federal Office determines whether the requirements for the type of husbandry system have been met.

3. Step: 

If this is the case, the Federal Office assigns an identification number that is valid for two years. This is to indicate:

• the type of husbandry system;
• the identification number for the farm and the husbandry facility;
• the validity of the identification number.

4. Step: 

The Federal Office enters the details of the foreign farm's husbandry facilities in an electronic register, which it uses to monitor the farm’s compliance with the regulations.

German food operators selling labelled foreign food products to final consumers in Germany are required - as far as they are able - to ensure that

• the link between the food product and information on the farming method is maintained along the entire food chain;
• the information provided with the animal or food product is complete and accurate;
• the type of husbandry system indicated on the label correlates with the information on the husbandry system used for the animals;
• the owners of the husbandry facilities keep records (cf. above).

Foreign farm owners must document the following information:

• the date on which the animals were placed in the housing;
• the average weight of the animals in each housing group when they were placed in the housing;
• the number of animals kept;
• the type of housing used for each housing facility;
• any changes in the husbandry system or in the number of animals kept;
• the length of time the animals remained in the housing.

German food operators selling labelled foreign food products to final consumers in Germany are required, as far as they are able, to ensure that 

• the link between the food product and information on the farming method is maintained along the entire food chain;
• the information provided with the animal or food product is complete and accurate;
• the type of husbandry system indicated on the label correlates with the information on the husbandry system used for the animals;
• the owners of the husbandry facilities keep records (cf. above).

As soon as any changes to this information occur, the foreign farm is required to notify the Federal Office for Agriculture and Food of these changes.
Even if animal husbandry has been abandoned permanently, the farm must notify the Federal Office for Agriculture and Food of the situation.