Type of husbandry labeling now also on milk and dairy products
From January 2022, consumers will not only be able to find the well-known four-stage housing form label on meat and meat products, as usual, but also on milk and dairy products. When shopping, consumers can then see at a glance how high the animal welfare level is in keeping the dairy cows whose products they are buying. Many consumers are already familiar with and appreciate the way in which they are kept. According to a current forsa survey, more Germans are already familiar with the type of husbandry label (65%) than the EU organic label (55%). 90% think the way of keeping is good or very good. Against this background, the food retail companies involved in the Tierwohl (ITW) initiative have agreed to expand the system of standardized husbandry labeling to include milk and dairy products.
"In the future, the way in which they are kept will enable consumers to take animal welfare into account when making a quick purchase decision when they buy milk and dairy products," explains Dr. Alexander Hinrichs, managing director of ITW. "We are very pleased that, together with industry representatives and business partners, we have succeeded in using the uniform labeling in the milk sector. The first animal welfare programs have already been classified. From January, consumers will gradually find the four-stage husbandry label on the dairy products of the participating food retailers. "
Those interested can find on the Internet www.haltungsform.de all information on the criteria according to which the animal welfare programs are classified into the four levels, and a list of all currently classified programs.
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, Bünting Group, EDEKA, Kaufland, LIDL, Netto Marken-Discount, PENNY and REWE. Other companies can choose to keep them.
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.
