There are already a large number of labels for food. A uniform and mandatory label, on the other hand, is non-existent. That should change from next year. The federal government's plans have met with criticism from farmers and animal rights activists.
From next year, mandatory animal husbandry labeling will apply - initially for pork. The cabinet passed the necessary draft law by Federal Minister of Agriculture Cem Özdemir. Animal rights activists criticized the criteria as too weak, and the label was not comprehensive enough. The peasants were also dissatisfied. Özdemir spoke of a "good day" for consumers and the future of animal husbandry.
The label introduces a nationwide uniform labeling of foodstuffs with the type of husbandry of the animals from which they were obtained. The food must be labeled if the animals were kept in Germany and are sold to consumers in this country. There is currently a large number of labels - but there is no uniform and mandatory label. A five-stage label is now planned with different forms of husbandry from stables to free-range husbandry to husbandry according to organic standards.
The form of husbandry must be clearly visible, and there should also be official controls. The whole thing should initially apply to pork in the trade - other animal species such as cattle, dairy cattle and poultry are to follow, as well as other marketing channels, such as gastronomy and processed products. The draft law will now be submitted to the EU for notification, after which consultations will begin in the Bundesrat and Bundestag.
The German Animal Welfare Association described the draft as a "disappointment". The criteria are too weak and crucial areas such as transport and slaughtering remain untouched, said association president Thomas Schröder of the "Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung". "It is unclear whether other animal species should be taken into account, and if so, when," he complained. The label is a "label fraud". In principle, the classification of "stable" attitude is particularly problematic. This suggests a "farm idyll", but means that the pigs live on slatted floors in cramped production facilities with artificial light and air supply. This form of husbandry must be “provided with an expiration date”.
The farmers' association welcomed the planned law in principle, but criticized the design and spoke of "weak points and gaps". For example, keeping sows is not taken into account and piglets castrated without anesthesia could "continue to be imported from abroad into the domestic market and would still receive the animal welfare label," explained farmer president Joachim Rukwied. He also warned against "even more useless bureaucracy for our companies". Last but not least, the scope of application was not designed to be far-reaching enough, the farmers' association continued. Processed goods, bulk consumers and gastronomy would have to be included quickly. In addition to the husbandry labeling, a labeling of origin is also absolutely necessary.
