Food: Care for the state animal husbandry logo

Actually, schnitzel and steaks should occur in almost two months – the new state animal husbandry logo for pork. But the obligation to introduce the supermarkets should be postponed from August 1st. The black and red coalition brought a draft law to the Bundestag in order to give more time for implementation. New start date: March 1, 2026.

Agriculture Minister Alois Rainer (CSU) said in Parliament that it was about enabling consumers well -informed purchase decisions. At the same time, it was clear to him that a mandatory labeling must work perfectly from day one. The planned shift is therefore “a good compromise and a good signal to everyone involved”.

The logo, which was still decided by the traffic light coalition, is intended to bring supermarket customers more clarity about the conditions in the stables. According to the law, it is mandatory for domestic products, and it should first start for fresh pork. A system with five categories from the “Stall” level with the legal minimum requirements up to “Bio” is planned. The logo should look factual and sober: rectangular and in black and white.

Seven months of queue

The law has been in force since August 2023. And it has also been two years of changeover. The implementation then hooked in the countries that asked for postponement. “We want to give them the time so that it works properly from the first day,” said Rainer. The logo can be used voluntarily before March 2026. The Consumer Center Federal Association called it “no good news” if the label no longer comes this year. Consumers wanted to know how animals were kept, said expert Jochen Geilenkirchen.

How it goes on is open. The coalition basically wants to reform the labeling in order to “make it practical and align them to animal welfare”. The CDU MP Benedikt Büdenbender said that the shift should create time to tackle the law again – and not just cosmetic. There are bureaucratic guidelines and also the “blind point” that goods from abroad have so far been hidden. Jens Behrens (SPD) emphasized the targeted expansion to other animal species and restaurants and canteens that could not yet be regulated.

Consumer advocate Geilenkirchen demanded that the expansion be implemented: “The labeling can only be a real decision -making aid if it is mandatory on all products – no matter which animal species is about and whether you buy in the supermarket, in the canteen or in the restaurant.” The food trade also warned efficient processes and “a transparent and appealing award” of the logo. From the point of view of the animal welfare association, the law should be stamped and completely redesigned. There are no improvements in animal welfare, but only depict the status quo.

Well -known labeling already in the refrigerated counter

The delay does not mean that customers have no information. Since 2019 there has been a voluntary labeling of the supermarket chains. And the seal with the imprint “posture shape” also includes meat from pigs, cattle and poultry. Consumer advocates Geilenkirchen said that it was not enough with transparency, and a corresponding offer is also needed. “In order for meat to be available from animal welfare, animal husbandry must be converted”. Rainer named the goal of mobilizing 1.5 billion euros a year as funding. “I’ll fight hard for this money.”