Animal husbandry labeling: extension of the deadline as an opportunity for practice?

Animal husbandry labeling: extension of the deadline as an opportunity for practice?

The coalition has postponed the deadline for implementing the Animal Husbandry Labeling Act to March 1, 2026, which is met with relief from both agriculture and the Meat Industry Association (VDF). The VDF general manager Steffen Reiter says that the time gained should be used to redesign the law in a practical way. What is important is the transparent presentation of the husbandry conditions through existing systems, as the Animal Welfare Initiative (ITW) also notes.

Robert Römer, managing director of ITW, emphasizes the need to integrate private control systems into state regulations. He considers the planned registration and proof requirements to be superfluous and calls for the ban on marketing meat from animals from lower husbandry levels to be abolished in order to enable more flexible market use.

Agricultural reactions

The interest group of pig farmers in Germany (ISN) has called for a fundamental revision of the law and sees a need for repairs in the implementation and the disadvantage of domestic goods. Bavaria's Agriculture Minister Michaela Kaniber describes the extension of the deadline as a positive signal for a practical policy and emphasizes the importance of planning security for agriculture.

In contrast, Dr. Zoe Mayer from the Greens sharply criticized the shift and called for the law to be expanded to include the catering sector in the near future. It highlights the need for reliable labeling for sustainable animal husbandry, which was recommended by the Borchert Commission and the Agriculture Future Commission.

Background and challenges

On June 7, 2022, the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) presented the first plans for state animal husbandry labeling. The Animal Welfare Initiative has commented on these plans and emphasized that the “stable housing + space” level is crucial for animal welfare in Germany. Close cooperation between the state and business is necessary in order to make the inspection of agricultural operations efficient.

A viable financing concept that complements the labeling and is tied to the market is essential. Römer expresses concerns that stable conversions cannot be implemented in the short term for many farmers. In addition, ITW companies that have already made progress in animal welfare should be given appropriate consideration in the labeling.

The control mechanisms are also being put to the test. Although the state should control the companies, it is necessary to include existing control systems in the economy. ITW companies are already inspected twice a year. A challenge remains that the German state cannot inspect companies abroad that participate in the animal husbandry license.

Dr. Alexander Hinrichs from ITW points out that the planned labeling system reflects the status quo and that there is a lack of a viable financing model for the transformation of animal husbandry. The financing of livestock farms and their connection to the market are central questions that need to be clarified. The economy is currently financing the ITW, which covers 60% of fattening pigs and 90% of broiler chickens and turkeys in level 2 of the voluntary husbandry system labeling.