Animal-husbandry labelling needs import rules that can be verified at shelf level

The German Meat Industry Association (VDF) is calling for another postponement of the mandatory application of the Animal Husbandry Labelling Act (THKG), currently scheduled for 1 January 2027. The sector alliance’s statement responds to detailed comments from the European Commission on the German government’s notified amendment proposal. According to VDF, the standstill period ends on 12 November 2026; until then, the draft legislation cannot be adopted.

The issue is not the existence of animal-husbandry labelling itself, but the proposed design for including foreign products. VDF says that the Commission has raised objections to the planned registration obligations and certification procedures. The association proposes dispensing with additional registration requirements and recognising established labelling systems and certificates, provided they do not undercut the German standard. It also suggests a voluntary supplementary label to make animal-welfare achievements of foreign producers visible where these do not exactly match THKG requirements.

This is an industry-association position, not an administrative decision. It nevertheless highlights a central operational issue: animal-welfare labelling can only work at shelf level if its categories can be verified consistently for domestic and imported goods. For butchers, processors and retailers, this affects purchasing specifications, product segregation, documentary evidence and label design. The specific date of 12 November makes the debate an immediate planning issue. Until the legal framework is clarified, businesses should distinguish carefully between current obligations, announced deadlines and options that remain under political discussion.