Federal Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir has promoted the planned gradual introduction of a new animal husbandry logo for meat in supermarkets. “The aim is that at the end of the day every meat at every point of sale is labeled in a binding manner,” said the Green politician on Friday in the Federal Council. His draft law is a first step, which must now be taken. If you wanted to do everything at once, there would be no change. Past experience has shown that. The countries warned, among other things, to prevent production relocations abroad.
Özdemir made it clear that it was important to finally tackle changes with the labeling – step by step. “Like building a house, you start with the foundation, not the roof.” Further production stages, marketing channels and animal species were to follow. First, however, he needs the green light after a fundamental clarification of the model by the EU Commission.
In mid-October, the federal cabinet initiated the legislative plans that stipulate mandatory labeling for domestic products. In the coming year, the first step is to start with fresh pork in the trade. A system with five husbandry categories during fattening is planned, from the legal minimum standard in the barn to organic. Meat from abroad should be able to be labeled on a voluntary basis. Attempts by previous federal governments to create a voluntary logo had failed.
Criticism from the countries
In the Bundesrat, some states made clear objections. Fresh pork only accounts for a maximum of 20 percent of the total amount of pork. A larger market share remains unregulated. The chairman of the state agricultural ministers, Sven Schulze (CDU) from Saxony-Anhalt, complained that the draft meant no added value. The entire lifespan of the pigs is also not recorded, but that is what consumers expect. The Lower Saxony department head Miriam Staudte (Greens), on the other hand, spoke of a “good foundation”. There must then be rapid further development.
As the first step in the legislative process, the Federal Council decided to issue a statement. A recommendation by his Agriculture Committee to reject the draft as a whole did not find a majority. Among other things, however, the Federal Council called for “avoiding domestic producers being placed in a worse position and production moving abroad”. In addition to pigs, other animal species and marketing channels should be included – takeaway, catering and processed goods. In the case of pigs, the production of piglets and the keeping of sows before fattening should also be included.
End of “Ever Cheaper”
Next, the draft is expected to come to the Bundestag in mid-December. Özdemir said that the mandatory labeling should make farmers’ investments and willingness to change visible. “An “always cheaper” has clearly reached its limits, both economically and ecologically as well as in terms of animal welfare.” The minister confirmed that an indication of origin should also come. The EU Commission has promised a proposal for this at the beginning of the new year.
There is also ongoing discussion about secure long-term financing so that farmers are not left alone with billions in additional costs. The coalition initially agreed on a federal program to promote the restructuring of animal husbandry. In addition to stall investments, it is also intended to promote higher ongoing additional costs – the focus is on contracts with a term of up to ten years. Özdemir emphasized that farmers’ willingness to change must “be of value to us as a society at the shop counter”.
