Labeling for meat products takes a decisive step forward
The Animal Husbandry Labeling Act is currently in the parliamentary process. The traffic light factions have now agreed on adjustments. The Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture, Cem Özdemir, says:
"The introduction of state, mandatory animal husbandry labeling for meat products is now a decisive step forward. Consumers finally have a real choice for more animal welfare, they can actively support the restructuring of animal husbandry. We are making animal husbandry in Germany future-proof and urgent necessary conversion starts now.
I want good meat to continue to come from Germany in the future. That's why I do everything I can to give the companies the opportunity to earn money with more animal, climate and environmental protection. For this we are putting together a conversion package that consists of animal husbandry labeling, a support program for barn conversions and changes to building and emission protection law.
But one thing is also clear: I can't do the conversion of the animal husbandry alone, teamwork is required here. Hence my invitation to all democratic forces, including those who are in the opposition in the federal government: farms, animals and the climate now need cooperation instead of partisan politics. Let's take the next steps together, let's set up animal husbandry together for the future - for the benefit of our agriculture. Let's work together to ensure that pet owners have a future, customers have a real choice and animals and the environment are better protected."
Hintergrund:
Consumers should be able to see at a glance how an animal was kept on farms in Germany. The Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) is working on a binding and transparent animal husbandry label for food of animal origin that comes from Germany. With the animal husbandry label, the form of husbandry in which the animal was kept becomes recognizable to the consumer on the food. In a first step, fresh unprocessed meat from pigs is marked. Other animal species and products are to follow.
In June 2022, Federal Minister Özdemir presented the cornerstones of the planned animal husbandry labeling law, and the draft law passed the federal cabinet in mid-October. The draft went through the Federal Council on November 25th. The bill is currently in the parliamentary process. On December 15, 2022, the draft was debated in the first reading by the Bundestag. The coalition factions have now agreed on adjustments to the draft.
