Status: 12.10.2022 2:11 p.m
The federal cabinet has decided on labeling for animal meat. However, the planned label has been criticized: Farmers warn against too many exceptions, animal rights activists even speak of a fraudulent labeling.
After years of discussions, a state animal husbandry labeling for meat in supermarkets is to be launched. The Federal Cabinet has passed legislative plans by Minister of Agriculture Cem Özdemir that provide for mandatory labeling for domestic products. Now the way is clear for consumer protection to be strengthened, said the Greens politician in Berlin. “Consumers can see at a glance how the animal was kept.” The Bundesrat and Bundestag are now discussing the draft law further.
Initially, labeling only applies to pigs
The labeling with five husbandry categories is to start in the coming year in a first step with meat from pigs. More species will be added later.
| posture level | What does that mean? | |
|---|---|---|
1 | barn | Only the minimum legal requirements are met. |
2 | stable + place | The animals get 20 percent more space. |
3 | fresh air stables | The stables are open on at least one side. |
4 | run/outdoor | The animals are allowed outside for at least eight hours a day. |
5 | organic | There are larger exercise areas and even more space in the barn. |
The ministry envisages a black and white, slightly rounded rectangle as a uniform logo.
Image: Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture
Farmer President warns of imports and exceptions
There is criticism from both farmers and animal rights activists. Farmers’ President Joachim Rukwied supports the project in principle, but complained about “significant weaknesses and gaps, with which the desired effect is not only missed, but even thwarted in parts”. In this way, piglets castrated without anesthesia could continue to be imported from abroad into the domestic market. Processed meat products such as sausages as well as bulk consumers and the catering industry urgently need to be included.
Animal Welfare Association: “Then better no license plate”
The German Animal Welfare Association spoke of label fraud. “The criteria are too weak, crucial areas such as transport and slaughter remain untouched,” said President Thomas Schröder of the “Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung”. “Better no license plate at all than one that extremely burdens the path to more animal welfare.”
According to level four of the new animal welfare label, the animals are allowed to go outside for at least eight hours a day.
Image: REUTERS
One billion euros as start-up financing
As far as the financing of the measures is concerned, the traffic light coalition had previously agreed on start-up financing. For example, farmers are to be supported with one billion euros from 2023 in the conversion of animal husbandry to higher standards. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the money can not only be used for investments in the conversion of the stables. It can also be used to support farms with ongoing additional expenses if fewer animals are kept better.
Minister of Agriculture Özedemir presents plans for mandatory labeling of animal husbandry
Nadine Bader, ARD Berlin, daily news 5:00 p.m., June 7th, 2022