When buying steaks and chops in the supermarket, it will soon be worth taking an extra look – at the new, black and white logos on many packaging. Federal Minister of Agriculture Cem Özdemir wants to bring it into refrigerated counters as mandatory meat labeling in 2023 and thus create more clarity about the conditions in the stables. “Consumers can see at a glance how the animal was kept,” said the Green politician on Wednesday in front of the Chancellery. There the cabinet had put its bill on the way. But criticism came promptly, and some things are controversial.
Özdemir made it clear that he is now about a real departure, after there is still tugging in the traffic light coalition about the important project. “If everyone participates, then we will have the license plate next year,” said the minister. And reminded once again of the urgency of giving farmers reliability in the desired conversion of animal husbandry towards better standards. “Every day that we stand here and do nothing, farmers give up.” The plans are now being discussed further in the Bundesrat and Bundestag.
The labeling of pork is to start in retail. A system with five categories during fattening is planned. It begins with the “stable” type of housing with the minimum legal requirements. The “Barn space” level provides at least 20 percent more space, the “Fresh air barn” level provides contact with the outside climate, for example with open barn sides. The stages “Auslauf/Freiland” and “Bio” are also planned. The logo should look objective and sober: A white, slightly rounded rectangle in which “animal husbandry” is written in a black border. The housing form should then display a smaller rectangle filled with black – with five small rectangles for the categories.
Since 2019 widespread labeling “type of husbandry”
In the refrigerated counters, however, the future state label for schnitzel meets a top dog. Since 2019, there has been a widespread labeling of the retail chains with the imprint “Hungry Form”, which includes meat from pigs and also from poultry and cattle. It has the numbers 1 to 4 for four different levels on the label and the colors red, light blue, orange and green. Many customers are now familiar with the system, which is likely to remain in place alongside the state system for a long time to come.
Özdemir emphasized that it is now about the start of a first stage. “We start with pork, but we don’t stop there.” After basic clarification with the EU Commission, the model is then to be extended to more animal species, products and places of purchase such as gastronomy “in the near future”. This is a different approach than previously discussed for a long time: namely, mandatory labeling for all forms of husbandry – instead of a voluntary seal only for better forms of husbandry. Most recently, Özdemir’s predecessor Julia Klöckner (CDU) wanted to put such an animal welfare logo on the shelves with requirements above the legal standard. But that failed.
Criticism of the new logo
But there is also criticism of the new start. The animal protection association spoke of a disappointment, since the labeling only reflects the status quo. “The criteria are too weak, crucial areas such as transport and slaughter remain untouched and so far everything has only referred to the keeping of pigs.” Farmers’ president Joachim Rukwied complained about “weak points and gaps that not only fail to achieve the desired effect, but even thwart them in some cases”. Piglets castrated without anesthetic could continue to be imported from abroad. Processed goods such as sausage, bulk consumers and the catering trade would have to be included.
There is still some need for clarification in the coalition. The cabinet has now decided on “a first basis for discussion”, said FDP parliamentary group leader Carina Konrad. The label must be based on the labeling that already exists on the market. This is the only way to ensure that the efforts of companies that have already started and made investments are recognized.
The question of long-term secured financing is still unresolved, so that farmers are not left alone with billions in additional costs. The coalition has now agreed that a planned “start-up financing” of one billion euros can not only be used to promote barn conversions – but also to absorb higher running costs. But that will only last until 2026. A fundamentally reliable financial solution will continue to be sought. According to expert recommendations, a higher VAT rate or an “animal welfare tax” on animal products are under discussion. A surcharge of 40 cents per kilogram of meat would be conceivable.
