Trade unifies attitude mark
Bonn - The companies of the food retail trade (LEH), which are involved in the animal welfare initiative (ITW), will mark meat according to the uniform system "form of housing" in the future. Starting with the 1. April 2019, initially packaged products will be introduced gradually with the labeling. The "form of keeping" gives consumers on the packaging of meat an overview of how the animals from which the meat of the product originated were kept. The system consists of four stages and places existing quality, animal welfare and organic labels for pigs, poultry and cattle in these stages. The organization of the labeling system is carried out by the Society for the Promotion of Animal Welfare in livestock husbandry mbH. She is also the sponsor of the animal welfare initiative.
Some food retailers have introduced 2018's own meat labeling systems. In a dialogue with the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL), in May, food retailing companies agreed to make 2018 consistent with existing labeling. In this way, retailers are responding to the consumer's desire for greater visibility and transparency. With the "form of keeping" the trade now creates a uniform and cross-company system. This system of "husbandry" is designed so that it is basically compatible with the planned government animal welfare labeling.
The newly created label of the "husbandry form" marks in a four-stage system, according to which housing form the animals were kept. The 1. "Stable keeping" level corresponds to the legal requirements or the QS or a comparable standard. In addition, meat labeled with 2 "Stable Keeping Plus" must come from a higher animal welfare standard such as at least 10 percent more stall space and additional employment material. Level 3 "outdoor climate" requires even more space and fresh air contact for the animals. At level 4 "Premium", the animals have even more space and must necessarily have outlet options. Organic meat is classified in this level.
The husbandry form is not a new animal welfare seal, but instead arranges for the consumer all existing animal welfare programs in a four-tier system and identifies the standard by which the animal was kept. The labeling will find consumers on packaging at ALDI Nord, ALDI SOUTH, EDEKA, Kaufland, LIDL, Netto Marken-Discount, PENNY and REWE. The "husbandry form" is open to other companies. Full information on the criteria for each stage is available to consumers on the website on housing www.haltungsform.de
4 graphics: Four levels of housing
