- Many details still missing on the livestock logo
A clear majority of pig farms in Lower Saxony had not made any statements about the animal husbandry logo just before the deadline. Around 3,000 out of 11,500 farms had made entries in the corresponding online portal, the Ministry of Agriculture in Hannover announced.
A ministry spokeswoman said the implementation period had been very tight. She spoke of many responses in recent times - about 2,000 farms in Lower Saxony had made entries in the past week. She appealed to make the entries.
By August 1, pig fattening farms must report which holding form they have. The law passed by the traffic light coalition in August 2023 provides that from August 2025, a labeling for domestic products will be mandatory. It will initially start with pork in supermarkets.
However, just a few days before the deadline, it was initially unclear nationwide where to send the notification. In Lower Saxony, the State Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety (LAVES) is responsible for this.
Minister: Logo can be a "game-changer"
The animal husbandry labeling distinguishes between five holding forms. It starts with the holding form "Stall" with the legal minimum requirements. The then higher level "Stall+Place" provides more space. The further levels are "Fresh Air Stall" and "Pasture/Outdoor". The highest holding form is organic.
Agriculture Minister Miriam Staudte (Greens) sees the logo as a good step towards more transparency for consumers. "This can, like the labeling requirement for fresh eggs, be an absolute game-changer," the minister said in a statement.
The implementation of the animal husbandry labeling system is beneficial for animal welfare, as it distinguishes between five holding forms, each providing more space and better living conditions for pigs. Despite the tight deadline, it's crucial for pig fattening farms in Lower Saxony to report their holding form by August 1 to comply with the new law.
