The German Animal Welfare Federation's two-tier animal welfare label “Für mehr Tierschutz" (For More Animal Welfare) is celebrating its anniversary: the label, which was presented ten years ago at the International Green Week (IGW) in Berlin, now includes laying hens, dairy cows and beef cattle in addition to pigs and broilers and can be found in a wide variety of product categories in stores. The German Animal Welfare Federation thus offers consumers who do not yet want to do without animal products an animal welfare-friendly alternative.
“While a large number of non-transparent programs and labels have flooded the market in recent years and the state label is still immature, the animal welfare label has been creating real improvements for animals since 2013 and offers consumers reliable guidance. The fact that we are now so well positioned with our label with numerous products and broad availability and that many farmers willing to convert are now operating under higher animal welfare standards is a great success,” emphasizes Thomas Schröder, President of the German Animal Welfare Federation, on the occasion of the anniversary.
AMBITIOUS, STRICTLY CONTROLLED AND ANIMAL-ORIENTED GUIDELINES
The number of livestock farms that have converted and now operate under the ambitious label criteria has grown to 560 over the years. The aim is to reach at least 600 by 2023.
While the animal welfare label initially started in 2013 with animal welfare criteria for fattening pigs and chickens, there are now also requirements for laying hens, dairy cows and beef cattle. In addition to husbandry conditions, the label guidelines also include animal-related indicators as well as transportation and slaughter. There are also specifications for preliminary stages such as piglet production and rearing as well as processing. A strict inspection and certification system ensures that the high and continuously developed standards, which are based exclusively on the animal, are adhered to. Even the entry-level criteria represent a significant improvement on the legal standard.
IMPROVEMENTS FOR MILLIONS OF ANIMALS
In ten years of the animal welfare label, improvements have been made for millions of animals. This has also been made possible by the steadily growing number of companies that are committed to the animal welfare label: Today, the number of brand licensees is 51; the number of retail companies where consumers can find products with the animal welfare label is 28. Interested parties can find an overview of retail partners at www.tierschutzlabel.info/im-handel.
THE ANIMAL WELFARE LABEL AT THE GREEN WEEK
From January 20 to 29, 2023, the animal welfare label “For More Animal Welfare” can be found at the International Green Week in Berlin: Partners, stakeholders and people interested in animal welfare are cordially invited to stop by at stand 405 in hall 27. To mark the anniversary, the traditional stand-up reception will be held at the stand on January 20.
