The large German supermarket chains want to inform of April, with a single seal on the meat packaging on the keeping of animals for slaughter. The food trade is an Initiative Pet informed. The industry is forging ahead while the Federal Minister of agriculture, Julia Klöckner (CDU) is driving the preparations for a national animal welfare indicator, which is expected to come after 2020.
from the trade prints with the words “farming” will soon be seen on packaging at Aldi, Edeka, Kaufland, Lidl, Netto Marken-Discount, Penny, and Rewe – for cattle, pork and poultry. Many of the retail chains had begun in the last few months with their own labelling systems in terms of animal husbandry. This, however, was uneven, and therefore, the consumer part is confusing.
The uniform System provides for four stages: The first stage, Housing, corresponds to only the legal requirements. Meat, which is characterized with the level two (housing plus), derived from animals which have received, among other things, a minimum of ten percent more space and additional employment material. Stage three, the external climate, guarantees the animals more space and fresh air contact. At level four, a Premium, you will also have access to an Outdoor area. Also, organic Meat to be classified in this level.
The state Ministry of economic Affairs welcomed the Initiative of the trade for a fairer attitude. It is, however, made clear that the plans should go beyond that. The state labelling should take “the entire life span of the animal” in the view – i.e. from birth to slaughter – and not just the space, or the range of motion. There are provided three stages, the first of which is already significantly above the legal Standard. The exact criteria are not fixed yet. Pet owners should be able to use the Logo on a voluntary basis.