When buying steaks or chops, customers are increasingly paying attention to how the animals once lived. An official logo will soon help with this. Now there is a first model of what it should look like.
No federal eagle, no black, red and gold: the planned state animal husbandry labeling for meat is to come to supermarkets in an emphatically neutral style. The Federal Ministry of Agriculture envisages a black and white, slightly rounded rectangle as a uniform logo, as can be seen from a draft law for further deliberations. The designation “animal husbandry” should appear within a black border. A smaller rectangle filled with black should then indicate the exact form of husbandry – with a total of five small rectangles for the categories from the legal standard to organic.
With the regulations on the design, the logo continues to take shape, which is one of the major projects of Minister of Agriculture Cem Özdemir. After years of arguments, the Green politician has started a new attempt to start labeling 2023, initially on fresh pork. And this is mandatory for domestic products of all forms of husbandry and no more than a voluntary seal for animal welfare services to be particularly emphasized, as was the thrust of her predecessor Julia Klöckner (CDU).
Free from signal colors and stars
This also has an impact on the look of the logo, which should therefore do without any judgmental or promotional elements such as signal colors or stars. In order to ensure uniform labeling and clear recognizability, the draft should specify how the logo is to be attached: in the case of packaged meat, directly on the packaging or on a label attached to it. Namely, in the “main field of vision” – i.e. where consumers are most likely to look first when making a purchase. In the case of loose meat, signs should therefore indicate the form of husbandry.
Özdemir presented the cornerstones of the labeling in June, and the draft bill is now developing it further. A system with five husbandry categories during fattening is planned. It begins with the “stable” type of housing with the minimum legal requirements. In the “Barn+Space” stage, pigs must have at least 20 percent more space, among other things, in the “Fresh Air Barn” stage, contact with the outside climate, for example through open barn sides. There are also plans for the stages “outdoor/outdoor” and “organic”. There should be a QR code on the logo so that information about the husbandry forms can be accessed via smartphone.
Opinion formation in the industry is ongoing
The food industry wants to check the proposed logo first. Since the label in its current design is completely new and different from previously presented variants, it is still necessary to wait for an opinion to be formed, the food association said on request.
The consumer organization Foodwatch criticized the whole procedure. “A label that only provides information about the differences in attitude changes absolutely nothing about millions of diseases and the suffering of farm animals,” said Foodwatch strategy director Matthias Wolfschmidt. The husbandry label fools consumers into believing that they can alleviate the misery of livestock through purchasing decisions.
The ministry sees the nationally binding labeling requirement for fresh meat as a “good start” for better transparency with regard to the type of husbandry. Cattle and poultry, more products and sales channels such as gastronomy are to follow in the next steps. According to the draft law, the current legal situation does not offer any clear orientation with a large number of voluntary labels for the private sector. The market potential for meat from particularly animal-friendly husbandry could not be fully exploited.
Newcomer meets top dog
However, the future state label for the schnitzel in the refrigerated counters 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 labels 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.
There is still a need for discussion on several aspects of labeling in the traffic light coalition. And there is still no guarantee of secure financing for the farmers, so that they are not left alone with billions in additional costs for better husbandry. Signals have now come from the previously strictly reserved FDP to support a levy on meat – but with the expectation that the trade will bear the additional costs in full in order to avoid additional burdens for customers in times of rising food prices.
Draft draft, including the design of the logo (pages 8 and 33) Key points of the animal husbandry labeling coalition agreement, animal husbandry label p. 43 animal husbandry labeling for retailers
Source: Stern
Jane Stock is a technology author, who has written for 24 Hours World. She writes about the latest in technology news and trends, and is always on the lookout for new and innovative ways to improve his audience’s experience.
