Uniform husbandry labeling for meat now in stores

Bonn, – Since yesterday, consumers have been able to find the uniform meat labeling “form of husbandry” in the stores of the food retailers (LEH) involved in the Animal Welfare Initiative (ITW). Beginning in April, companies are gradually introducing the labeling. It classifies existing quality assurance, animal welfare and organic programs for pigs, cattle and poultry in a four-tier system according to a catalog of requirements that applies to all participants. This enables consumers to see very quickly the level of animal welfare in the animal husbandry from which the specific product originates. The organization of the labeling is carried out by the Society for the Promotion of Animal Welfare in Livestock Management mbH. This is also the sponsor of the animal welfare initiative.

With the "keeping form" the trade is now establishing a uniform, cross-company keeping labeling and meets the consumer's desire for more recognizability and transparency. The “type of husbandry” label is designed in such a way that it is fundamentally compatible with the planned state animal welfare label.

The newly created indicator of the "form of husbandry" uses a four-stage system to indicate the type of husbandry the animals were kept under. The 1st stage "Stable housing" corresponds to the legal requirements or the QS standard or a comparable standard. Meat marked with Level 2 "Stable husbandry plus" must also come from a husbandry with higher animal welfare standards such as at least 10 percent more space in the stable and additional activity material. Level 3 “outdoor climate” requires, among other things, more space and contact with fresh air for the animals. At level 4 "Premium" the animals have even more space and must be able to run around. So e.g. B. organic meat classified in this level.

Consumers will find the labeling on packaging at ALDI Nord, ALDI SÜD, EDEKA, Kaufland, LIDL, Netto Marken-Discount, PENNY and REWE. The “keeping form” is open to other companies. For complete information on the criteria for each tier, consumers can visit the husbandry site at www.haltungsform.de.