Strengthening animal-friendly poultry production
In talks with the German Animal Welfare Association, the leading companies in the food retail trade in Germany committed themselves to more animal-friendly poultry production. The German Animal Welfare Association and food retailers have jointly agreed to double the proportion of products with husbandry levels 3 and 4 in the next two years and to convert around 2026% or more of their offerings by the end of 20. The leading companies in the food retail trade successfully introduced the uniform type of husbandry labeling for products from agricultural livestock farming in 2019. Consumers are given a clear orientation with the uniform labeling, at the same time the differences in the range are made transparent and comprehensible.
"With the additional offer in the two highest levels with the 3 and 4, animal welfare is strengthened in the poultry range. This commitment is strong and courageous. We expressly welcome that The two-stage label `For more animal welfare` we create transparency on the shelf together with the retailers involved. But now it also needs the commitment of the consumers, who eat meat, at the checkout!" explains Thomas Schröder, President of the German Animal Welfare Association.
"The common commitment of the companies of the food retail trade and the German Animal Welfare Association is an important step towards more animal welfare in poultry," explains Dr. Alexander Hinrichs, Managing Director of the Society for the Promotion of Animal Welfare in Livestock Husbandry. "With the type of husbandry labeling, such steps are visible and understandable for consumers. We are very pleased that the German Animal Welfare Association and the food retail trade are promoting animal welfare in Germany constructively and with their combined efforts."
In talks with the German Animal Welfare Association, the companies in the food retail trade declared their intention to gradually increase the proportion of poultry products from programs that guarantee the minimum requirements of housing levels 3 and 4 in chicken husbandry in the system of uniform husbandry form labeling, in close cooperation with the poultry marketers and offer them to consumers, taking into account the necessary conversion periods in chicken farming, they are therefore striving to double the current share of appropriately labeled chicken products in their markets over the next two years and to around 2026% or more of their offer by the end of 20 to convert to goods that are labeled with housing levels 3 and 4. In addition to other standards, this includes, for example, products from the entry-level and premium level of the “For More Animal Welfare” label from the German Animal Welfare Association or organic-certified poultry meat.
The undersigned food retailers want to make a further commitment to promoting more animal-friendly and sustainable meat production and give consumers the opportunity to recognize and purchase products from different levels of husbandry. At the same time, this commitment offers a reliable perspective for farmers who participate in these programs or intend to do so in the future.
About the housing type identification
The type of husbandry is a four-stage seal classification for animal products. It was introduced in April 2019. It classifies animal welfare seals and programs according to their requirements for animal owners and the resulting animal welfare level. Consumers can find the label on packaging at ALDI Nord, ALDI SÜD, EDEKA, Kaufland, LIDL, Netto Marken-Discount, PENNY and REWE. Other companies are also able to use the “keeping form”.
The Society for the Promotion of Animal Welfare in Farm Animal Husbandry is the bearer of the keeping form identification. It organizes the correct classification of standards and programs in the system of this attitude indicator, monitors the correct application and implementation of this system and supports the participating companies in communicating with the public and consumers. Consumers can obtain complete information on the criteria for the individual levels on the website for the type of housing at www.haltungsform.de.
