From the point of view of the trade, something is happening step by step in favor of animal welfare. The food discounter Lidl announced on Monday that it had almost completely converted its range of sausage and meat products to German origin and production, with pork, beef and poultry. Other providers also want to switch to “5xD”, Penny in the summer, Aldi Süd and Nord in the fall. “5xD” (spoken: 5 times D) means: birth, rearing, fattening, slaughtering and processing take place in Germany.
Animal rights activists are less enthusiastic. “For the animal industry in Germany, Lidl’s step may be a reason to celebrate. Not for animal welfare,” says Mahi Klosterhalfen, head of the Albert Schweitzer Foundation for our fellow world, adding: “The only thing that is good for the animals probably positively changed: less transport”. From his point of view, however, it would be much more important to raise the husbandry standards in the supply chains. “Because in this country they are mostly cruel to animals.”
With their commitment to exclusively domestic meat production and processing, the traders want to support German agriculture and thus improve animal welfare. However, German production does not automatically guarantee high animal welfare standards. Meat producers like Tönnies, Westfleisch or Wiesenhof don’t have the best reputation in this regard.
At the same time, trade and industry are trying to ensure better animal welfare. Aldi, for example, only wants to offer fresh meat from pigs from husbandry levels 3 (outdoor climate) and 4 (organic) from 2030. This is also happening under pressure from consumers and the federal government. A few days ago, Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir made a new attempt to equip meat products in Germany with a mandatory, state animal husbandry label. A central question is how farmers can be helped with barn conversions. Possibly with a fee. On social media platforms, some users are already afraid of rising meat prices when energy and food prices are already rising. Lidl said nothing about this.