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Further information

The state animal husbandry label –
for reliable transparency in the grocery aisle

How was the animal that was used to make the food I am buying kept? Making informed purchasing decisions requires clear information. The state animal husbandry label provides information on the conditions under which the animals used to make meat were kept – and thereby creates transparency and clarity at a glance.

It will initially apply to fresh pigmeat produced in Germany. Food from abroad may be labelled on a voluntary basis. It is planned to expand the label to include processed meat and meat from other animal species, and also to cover the restaurant and catering sector.

The husbandry types
for pigs

Please select a type of husbandry to obtain more information.

This is how pigs live in indoor housing

In “indoor housing”, every animal has between 0.5 and 1 square metre space at its disposal, depending on the weight class. Pigs with a weight of 30-50 kg have 0.5 m² space at their disposal, at 50-110 kg 0.75 m², at over 110 kg 1 m². The animals live in closed warm areas. These are the minimum legal requirements for pig farming. The animals have organic and fibre-rich occupational material at their disposal, e.g. wood-shavings or straw.

This is how pigs live in indoor housing+space

There are two versions of “indoor housing+space”. Common traits of both versions: the pigs live in closed or mainly closed warm areas and in comparison to “indoor housing”, they have at least 12.5 percent more space at their disposal. Pigs with a weight of 30-50 kg have 0.563 m² space at their disposal, at 50-110 kg 0.844 m², at over 110 kg 1.125 m². All pigs have organic and fibre-rich occupational material at their disposal (e.g. wood-shavings or straw) as well as additional coarse fodder (e.g. hay or straw).

Version 1

Inside the housing, the pens are structured to include different elements, such as partitions, contact grids, different levels, areas with different temperatures or lighting conditions, suitable scratching brushes, drinkers with open water surfaces or a soft or bedded lying area.

Version 2

The pigs always have outdoor runs at their disposal so that they can sense weather influences and the environment. The above-mentioned size requirements apply to the total area of the sty and of the outdoor run.

This is how pigs live in indoor housing with fresh air

In “indoor housing with fresh air”, the animals have access to different climatic areas. There are two versions of “indoor housing with fresh air”:

Version 1

Within their housing, pigs are able to be in permanent contact with the outdoor climate: all animals have access to different climatic areas at all times. Pigs with a weight of 30-50 kg have 0.7 m² space at their disposal, at 50-110 kg 1.3 m², at 110-120 kg 1.3 m², at over 120 kg 1.5 m². On 7 July 2023, the Bundesrat did not agree to the Eighth Ordinance on the Amendment of the Animal Welfare - Farm Animal Husbandry Ordinance (8th Amending Ordinance), which means that the floor space requirements could be lowered unless there are animal-welfare reasons to the contrary, while the minimum legal standards must be adhered to. All pigs have organic and fibre-rich occupational material (e.g. wood-shavings or straw) at their disposal.

Version 2

Mainly closed warm areas with outdoor runs are also considered as “indoor housing with fresh air” if the total floor space of the sty and of the outdoor runs meets the following size requirements: pigs with a weight of 30-50 kg have 0.7 m² space at their disposal, at 50-110 kg 1.1 m², at 110-120 kg 1.1 m², at over 120 kg 1.4 m². The pigs always have outdoor runs at their disposal so that they can sense weather influences and the environment. All pigs have organic and fibre-rich occupational material (e.g. wood-shavings or straw) at their disposal.

This is how pigs live in outdoor runs/pasture

At least 50 percent more space in comparison to “indoor housing” and open-air access at all times – these are the characteristics of “outdoor runs/pasture”.

There are two versions of “outdoor runs/pasture”

Version 1: outdoor runs

In the “outdoor runs” version, the animals have open-air access and can use a bedded lying area (e.g. cushioned with straw), in addition to mainly closed warm areas. In comparison to “indoor housing”, the minimum legal standard, the pigs have at least 50 percent more space at their disposal. Pigs with a weight of 30-50 kg have 0.5 m² space at their disposal as well as 0.25 m² outdoor runs, at 50-110 kg 1.0 m² as well as 0.5 m² outdoor runs, at 110-120 kg 1.0 m² as well as 0.5 m² outdoor runs, at over 120 kg 1.5 m² as well as 0.8 m² outdoor runs. All pigs have organic and fibre-rich occupational material (e.g. wood-shavings or straw) at their disposal.

Version 2: pasture

“Pasture” means that the pigs live outdoors all year round, without any fixed housing. Outdoors, they can use protective structures including lying areas. All pigs have organic and fibre-rich occupational material (e.g. wood-shavings or straw) at their disposal.

This is how pigs live in the organic housing system

In comparison to “indoor housing”, the minimum legal standard, the pigs have at least 150 percent more space at their disposal. Pigs with a weight of 35-50 kg have 0.8 m² space at their disposal as well as 0.6 m² outdoor runs, at 50-85 kg 1.1 m² as well as 0.8 m² outdoor runs, at 85-110 kg 1.3 m² as well as 1 m² outdoor runs, at over 110 kg 1.5 m² as well as 1.2 m² outdoor runs.

The requirements of the EU legal framework for organic husbandry apply – e.g. straw or other organic litter and a minimum suckling period of 40 days. The use of veterinary drugs is strictly regulated – chemically synthesised veterinary drugs including antibiotics may be administered under strict conditions and under the control of a veterinarian if treatment with herbal veterinary drugs and other products is inappropriate.

In general, organically kept pigs are fed with 100 % organically produced feedstuffs. 30 percent of feedstuffs must come from the same establishment or – if not possible – from the same region. If it is confirmed that organic protein feed is not available in sufficient quantities, piglets under 35 kg may only be fed with a maximum of 5 percent of non-organic protein feed since for young animals, the intake of essential amino acids is of particular importance during this phase.

Labelling of mixed products

If one packaged product contains several foodstuffs subject (at least partially) to labelling requirements or if the product in question is a "mixed” product such as minced meat, the respective percentages of the respective husbandry types must be indicated to the nearest 5 percent. There are some exceptions where it is not necessary to indicate the specific percentages, for example, if one type of husbandry accounts for at least 80 % of the foodstuff or packaged product, then only this husbandry type needs to be indicated.

Making well-informed purchasing decisions based on the
animal husbandry label

How was the animal that was used to make the meat I am buying kept? Having this information on the packaging plays an important role for 89 percent of the respondents to the 2022 BMEL Nutrition Report. Thanks to the mandatory state animal husbandry label, consumers will in future be able to make informed purchasing decisions.

The animal husbandry label

The animal husbandry label provides consumers with transparent and concise information about the type of husbandry the meat originates from. The corresponding type of husbandry is marked in black. A QR code guides consumers to detailed information on each type of husbandry.

In general, the label is black and white. However, a mint green version can also be used to make the label more visible on the packaging.

Advantages for consumers

Transparency

How was “my” pig kept? Soon, consumers will be able to see this at a glance, as the state animal husbandry label provides transparency and clarity with regard to the type of husbandry used.
Clarity and orientation

The label enables consumers to make informed purchasing decisions. It is concise and offers quick orientation while shopping.
Reliability

State animal husbandry labelling is reliable. All foodstuffs originating from animals reared and processed in Germany will need to be labelled – starting with fresh pigmeat. Producers from abroad can label their products for the German market on a voluntary basis.

Facts on animal husbandry labelling

The labelling is standardised and binding.

In contrast to all former, voluntary labelling systems, the state animal husbandry label is binding and standardised for all holdings in Germany.
Pig holdings must communicate the type of
husbandry used for their pigs to the
competent authority.

The holdings must provide the authorities of their federal state with evidence such as maps, photos or certificates regarding the type of husbandry they use for their pigs.
Inspections are carried out to control the
information provided by the holdings.

Controlling the holdings is the federal states’ duty. The competent authorities receive the information and evidence regarding the types of husbandry from the holdings and ensure compliance by carrying out regular checks.
Binding for all producers from 2025.

The Act entered into force in August 2023, marking the beginning of a two-year transition period before the labelling of fresh pigmeat becomes mandatory. In the meantime, the state animal husbandry label can already be used on a voluntary basis.

Frequently asked questions

The Federal Government’s ambition is to make livestock husbandry in Germany future-proof. Future-proof animal husbandry must create more transparency for consumers, take into account animal welfare requirements and climate change mitigation and offer farms good economic prospects. The overall project of future-proofing animal husbandry comprises four key elements:

binding state animal husbandry labelling;
better regulation in animal welfare law;
adjustments in regulatory approval and building law;
a strategy for funding the conversion of livestock buildings, including long-term prospects for farms.

The animal husbandry label is a government label and is mandatory for food originating from Germany. It provides transparency for consumers buying their groceries from meat counters, supermarkets and online. Consumers can thereby make informed purchasing decisions and consciously choose between different types of husbandry. At the same time, this binding label highlights farmers’ efforts to improve animal welfare. Holdings from other countries, particularly from EU Member States, can participate in the labelling system on a voluntary basis.

The animal husbandry labelling system creates a binding, reliable and transparent framework that is guaranteed and supervised by the state. The prospect of expanding the existing animal husbandry labelling system to include away-from-home consumption (e.g. canteens and the restaurant and catering sector) represents a further essential advantage vis-à-vis existing private labels.

During the introduction of a mandatory state animal husbandry label, different and higher legal requirements apply at federal and EU level than would apply to voluntary labelling. The mandatory animal husbandry label will therefore be phased in, starting with fresh pigmeat, whether it is chilled, frozen, packaged or unpackaged, and will apply to food retailing, butcher’s shops, online trade and other points of sale. Other marketing channels, in particular away-from-home consumption (e.g. restaurant and catering sector, canteens) as well as other animal species will be integrated in animal husbandry labelling in a series of further steps.

No, because regardless of the type of husbandry, every animal deserves to be handled responsibly during transport and slaughter. The necessary improvements of slaughter and transport conditions therefore need to be governed by regulatory rules so that they apply equally to all animals. Labelling transport duration would, in principle, be helpful, and is practised on a voluntary basis by a series of labels that are available on the market. On the other hand, agricultural enterprises in areas outside the main livestock regions would then run the risk of being at a disadvantage, despite the fact that it is a particular policy goal to maintain livestock husbandry in these areas.

Contact

Do you have any questions?

The Consumer Help Desk for Food, Agriculture and Consumer Health Protection Issues is the central point of contact for citizens’ enquiries. The Federal Office for Agriculture and Food (BLE) operates this help desk on behalf of the BMEL.

Contact details of the Consumer Help Desk:

By phone, Monday to Thursday, 9 am – 5 pm: 0228 - 24 25 26 27
By fax: 030 - 18 10 68 45 71 11
By email: info(at)verbraucherlotse.de
By letter: address: Verbraucherlotse, 53168 Bonn

Tell me more!

The state animal husbandry label –
for reliable transparency in the grocery aisle

The husbandry types
for pigs

Indoor housing

Indoor housing
+space

Indoor housing
with fresh air

Outdoor runs/
pasture

Organic housing system

Mixed products