While the amendment to the Animal Welfare Labeling Act has been postponed again—until 2027—it remains unclear to consumers which animal products actually represent greater animal welfare. At Green Week in Berlin (January 16-25), the German Animal Welfare Federation is making it clear with its animal welfare label “For More Animal Welfare”: credible labeling must not be limited to the form of husbandry alone, but must take into account the entire life of the animals – from breeding to transport to slaughter.
“The best possible protection for animals does not end at the barn door,” says Thomas Schröder, President of the German Animal Welfare Federation. “A label that excludes key phases in the lives of farm animals falls short.” The animal welfare label “Für Mehr Tierschutz” (For More Animal Welfare), which is now available for meat and meat products, milk and dairy products, and eggs and egg products, has therefore taken a holistic approach since its introduction. It is currently the only animal welfare label system in Germany that includes binding and controlled criteria along the entire production chain – including transport and slaughter. This clearly distinguishes it from the planned state animal husbandry label, which is intended to provide information exclusively about the type of animal husbandry used during fattening.
From the perspective of the German Animal Welfare Federation, the renewed postponement of the amendment to the law on state labeling reinforces the importance of voluntary, credible labeling. Especially in times of rising prices and economic uncertainty, guidance for consumers is crucial. “Many people want to shop consciously, but don't know which product promises they can trust,” explains Schröder. “This is where our label comes in: transparent, independently controlled, and consistently animal-oriented. As long as people consume meat, eggs, and milk, we should do everything we can to ensure that the animals in the system are treated as well as possible.”
At Green Week, the animal welfare label team will provide information on what constitutes a real improvement in animal welfare. Interested parties can visit the exhibition stand to find out about the criteria, control mechanisms, and differences to other labels.
Advance notice to editors: On Friday, January 16, 2026, the German Animal Welfare Association invites you to a press conference with President Thomas Schröder from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the exhibition stand of the animal welfare label “Für Mehr Tierschutz” (For More Animal Welfare) in Hall 7.2.c, Stand 109. Please register at presse@tierschutzbund.de.
About the animal welfare label “Für Mehr Tierschutz”:
The animal welfare label “Für Mehr Tierschutz” from the German Animal Welfare Federation has significantly improved the living conditions of several million animals since 2013. The German Animal Welfare Federation wants to offer consumers who do not yet want to give up animal products an alternative that allows them to take animal welfare into account when shopping. The two-tier label is used to identify products—meat and meat products, milk and dairy products, and eggs and egg products—that are subject to strict criteria, compliance with which is regularly checked without prior notice by independent audit companies and employees of the German Animal Welfare Federation.
The criteria cover the entire animal chain – from breeding and husbandry to transport and slaughter – as well as processing. In animal husbandry, the entry level offers clear added value for the animals with more space, structures, and opportunities for activity – far exceeding the minimum legal standards. The premium level provides for even more animal-friendly husbandry and correspondingly higher requirements. Currently, 558 farms operate according to the criteria of the animal welfare label. Products with the animal welfare label are available from 28 retailers.
