Poultry meat industry for mandatory labeling in gastronomy
The German poultry meat industry is launching an information offensive to promote mandatory labeling of the origin of meat in the catering and bulk consumer segment. The central message is the request “End censorship of origin!”. At the start of the campaign, the first giant poster was unveiled near the government district in Berlin. "We deliberately chose the slogan because we want to draw attention to a deficit in transparency and marketing requirements," says Friedrich-Otto Ripke, President of the Central Association of the German Poultry Industry (ZDG). On menus in restaurants and canteens in Germany there is no obligation to state where the meat comes from. The information offensive of the German poultry meat industry wants to change that. Ripke demands: "Only a labeling requirement can stop the trend towards more and more imported goods with mostly significantly lower animal welfare and quality standards." The areas of gastronomy and wholesale account for more than half of the market for fresh poultry meat and are therefore decisive for more animal welfare in implement the width. According to Ripke, the mandatory indication of origin in out-of-home consumption could create a demand platform for domestic poultry that is produced to the highest standards.
The lack of transparency compared to shopping in the supermarket is increasingly bothering consumers. The ZDG President refers to a representative survey by the opinion research institute Civey, according to which 78 percent of Germans would like the country of origin to be indicated on menus. "If the market is to make its contribution to more animal welfare and more climate protection in livestock farming, then the consumer must be able to recognize the origin and be able to choose accordingly," says Ripke.
Committed implementation instead of waiting for Europe
ZDG President Ripke criticizes the planned action by Federal Minister of Agriculture Cem Özdemir. Instead of implementing the requirements of the coalition agreement, which provides for the introduction of a “comprehensive indication of origin”, his ministry is again on the brakes with reference to a supposed European solution: “If we wait for the last person in Europe to jump on the train, it is Germany as a location for poultry meat ended up in a merciless competition to cut prices.” The example of France shows that a national advance is possible. From March 2022, the French government will introduce a label of origin for meat in all restaurants, company and school canteens in the country. "A national path that combines consumer wishes and livelihood security for local pet owners is therefore very feasible," says Ripke.
Clear call for action to politicians
The campaign "End censorship of origin!" combines outdoor advertising, online banners and social media with newspaper ads as well as text and video contributions on poultry industry channels. The advertising motifs take on scenes from gastronomy. The dishes served are made optically unrecognizable in order to clarify the information gap from the consumer's point of view. The message is: "Create more transparency for consumers with clarity on the menu." Ripke emphasizes that politics is called upon to act: "As exemplary as many restaurateurs are already acting with voluntary labels of origin - in the end the legislator must create the binding framework. "
About the ZDG
The Central Association of the German Poultry Industry eV (ZDG) represents the interests of the German poultry industry at federal and EU level as a professional umbrella and umbrella organization vis-à-vis political, official and professional organisations, the public and abroad. For the poultry meat industry, the Federal Association of Poultry Slaughterhouses (BVG), the Federal Association of Farm Chicken Producers (BVH) and the Association of German Turkey Producers (VDP) are organized within the ZDG. Overall, the ZDG speaks for around 8.000 members from the affiliated federal and state associations. More information at www.deutsches-gefluegel.de
